Are service animals allowed in the courthouse?
A. Service animals are welcome in all public areas of courthouse facilities. As defined in the ADA, these animals are individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability. Therefore, service animals are classified as working animals, not pets. Though a person with a disability is not required to provide any verbal or written confirmation to establish the existence or extent of his or her disability, they may be asked certain questions regarding their service animal. Qualified individuals may be asked whether their animal is a service animal and, if so, what services it has been trained to provide. Service animals must be kept on a leash and be within the control of the individual with a disability at all times. For the security and safety of all court users, if at any time, the animal becomes unruly or aggressive, the court may ask that the animal be removed from the facility.
