As for the Service Dogs.
Anyone can and may need them...even the Jurors. They are stressed over this case just as anyone else, but in a different way.
We do not know who requested the SD which in this case is a Therapy Dog. The Jurors probably did not request them at all. The Courts may have requested the Therapy Dog or the Therapy Dog as a group may go to the Court House on certain days to greet people, a prior arrangement and today just happened to be the day. They may not be there just for this case. They have been used for children that have to testify. The dog will sit next to the child as they testify and the child can bend over pet the dog at any time. They have found out that the child is able to give testimony with the calming affect of the Therapy Dog.
No matter what, the SD/Therapy Dog and handlers got an prior approval to be in the court house to greet. IF the Therapy Dogs are going to greet the Jurors I know this Judge would have to give his okay, they just cannot 'walk in' and contaminate the 'do not talk about the case'....the defense would have a field day with that!
I am sure the Court House has rules pertaining to this, like hospitals do, because of illnesses etc. A SD can go anywhere depending on their qualifications, the Therapy Dog may have restrictions....you want to read up on it, go to the FBI web site. The FBI handles SD requirements and laws. The Court House would have rules because of the cases heard and all involved, they just cannot have anyone walk in at anytime, furless or furry, to give comfort, and those are under the therapy dog, which may have restrictions. A service dog that aids their handler can go anywhere...that is the law.
OK...that is my rant...I would go back to lurk mode...well actually have to go make tons of meatballs for the grandgirls.
