Corporal Beatrix Lopez	Deputy Sheriff Thomas Polhman
Deputy Sheriff Gage Patrick	Deputy Sheriff - -

Public Entrance to Courthouse

The Nolan County Courthouse is located at 100 East Third Street, Sweetwater, Texas 79556, and there is a single entrance door for the public located on the north side of the building. The public entrance and exit doors on the north side of the courthouse are clearly marked for your convenience.

What to expect when visiting the courthouse

Once inside, you will enter the security screening line, below are some things that you can do, to help expedite the screening process: (If you have a pacemaker or defibrillator, please let a Deputy know before the screening process begins)

• Form a single file line up to the screening station.
• Empty your pockets of all items and place those items into one of the provided gray plastic bins.
• Place all purses, bags, briefcases, backpacks, and parcels on the table for inspection; these items will be screened utilizing an x-ray machine. Backpacks will normally not be allowed, but certain exceptions may be granted by the Deputy conducting the screening.
• If a person activates the metal detector alarm, one of the Deputies will immediately perform a secondary screening, utilizing a handheld metal detector. Just a reminder, all visitors entering the building are subject to cursory pat-search if the deputy is not able to determine what is activating the metal detector.
• Once you have successfully cleared the full screening in the main lobby, you are free to move about throughout the courthouse and you may go from the east wing to the west wing without having to go back through screening again.

The following list of items includes, but is not limited to, items that are prohibited inside the Nolan County Courthouse:

• Alcoholic beverages (in any container)
• Knives with a blade exceeding 3 ½ inches in length are completely prohibited. All knives are discouraged as the various Judges have the authority to ban any knife (no matter how small) inside their respective courtrooms, and most will do so.
• Ammunition (except for on-duty law enforcement officials)
• Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Firearms (except for on-duty law enforcement officials)
• Glass bottles containing any liquids
• Tools (screwdrivers, hammers, ice picks, etc.)
• Toy guns which give the appearance of being a real firearm
• Clubs, baseball bats, axe handles, batons or other striking weapons
• Explosive or incendiary devices of any nature
  

Of course other items, not listed above, may occasionally come under scrutiny. A determination will be made by a Deputy Sheriff, as to whether or not that item will be allowed inside the courthouse. Visitors may be asked to take the item back to their vehicle. If you are actually in doubt yourself about a specific item, then it may be best that you simply leave that item at home or secured in your vehicle.

Courtroom Dress Code

Anyone entering the Nolan County Courthouse should be dressed appropriately. If you are going to be going inside a courtroom; sleeveless shirts, shorts, excessively baggy pants, sunglasses, hats of any kind, and flip-flop shoes are not permitted. Also, clothing with provocative pictures, suggestive language, or inappropriate depictions is prohibited. Any clothing or signs with reference to, or depictions of, any matter currently being heard inside a courtroom are strictly prohibited. Final approval of appropriate dress in the courts will be determined by the presiding judge and then enforced by courthouse security personnel.

Tobacco Use

The interior of the Nolan County Courthouse is tobacco free. There are designated smoking areas located outside the building.