Sponsors (3)
The bill strengthens protections and DOJ enforcement against harassment of judicial participants to improve court safety and deter intimidation, but raises risks to lawful protest and free speech and increases enforcement and legal costs.
Judges, jurors, witnesses, court officers, and other participants in the federal justice system will have stronger protection against targeted harassment or intimidation near their homes or courthouses, improving their personal safety and reducing intimidation-related disruptions to trials.
Taxpayers and federal prosecutors gain clearer statutory authority for the Department of Justice to prosecute harassment of judicial participants, which should deter future offenses and make enforcement more consistent.
People who lawfully protest near courthouses or judges' residences — and free‑speech advocates more broadly — could be criminally charged or feel compelled to self-censor if their actions are judged to be 'knowingly' targeted, chilling peaceful protest and expressive activity.
Taxpayers, defendants, and local governments may face higher costs from increased enforcement and prosecutions, including greater DOJ and court resource use and higher legal expenses for defendants.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes knowingly picketing, parading, or using sound devices near judges’, jurors’, witnesses’, or court officers’ buildings or residences a federal crime punishable by fine and/or up to one year imprisonment.
Official title: To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit picketing or parading certain buildings or residences.
Introduced October 8, 2025 by David Rouzer · Last progress October 8, 2025
Criminalizes knowingly picketing, parading, demonstrating with sound devices, or otherwise protesting in or near a building or residence used by a judge, juror, witness, or court officer, and removes an existing exception that had applied to certain activities. Violations carry a fine, imprisonment up to one year, or both.