Law partners James C. Britt Jr. and Tom H. Nagel filed the suit last year when the county expanded the security detail beyond the courts to the county office tower at 373 S. High St. They are awaiting a ruling from Common Pleas Judge Richard S. Sheward. Britt said the lawsuit contends that county government does not have the authority to search citizens visiting county offices. Joseph Pilat, head of child support enforcement, said his office needs the security. We really do deal with a lot of volatile situations,'' he said.
Clients come in for hearings on paternity and child support or to lodge complaints with employees.
The agency also accepts cash payments in the building's lobby, Pilat said. There is no immediate cost for the new security checkpoint because the county already had an X-ray machine and the current courthouse security staff can cover the building by pulling some people from other stations, said Marianne Barnhart, director of Public Facilities Management.