CHAPTER 61 —UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT BUILDING AND GROUNDS
SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL
SUBCHAPTER II—BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
SUBCHAPTER III—POLICING AUTHORITY
SUBCHAPTER IV—PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES
SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL
§6101. Definitions and application
(a)
(1)
(2)
(b)
(1) extend to the line of the face of—
(A) the east curb of First Street Northeast, between Maryland Avenue Northeast and East Capitol Street;
(B) the south curb of Maryland Avenue Northeast, between First Street Northeast and Second Street Northeast;
(C) the west curb of Second Street Northeast, between Maryland Avenue Northeast and East Capitol Street; and
(D) the north curb of East Capitol Street between First Street Northeast and Second Street Northeast; and
(2) comprise any property under the custody and control of the Supreme Court as part of the Supreme Court grounds, including property acquired as provided by law on behalf of the Federal Government in lots 2, 3, 800, 801, and 802 in square 758 in the District of Columbia as an addition to the grounds of the Supreme Court Building and that parcel transferred under the Supreme Court Grounds Transfer Act of 2005.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6101(a) | 40:13n(d). | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §9(d), as added |
6101(b) | 40:13p. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §11, |
In subsection (a), the definition of "United States" is omitted as unnecessary because, within 40:13f–13p, the words "United States" are used in the geographical sense only in 40:13n(a)(2) and (c) and the restatement of those provisions, in section 6121 of the revised title, substitutes the words "any State" for "any part of the United States".
Before clause (1), the words "In this chapter, the following definitions apply" are substituted for "As used in
In clause (2), the words "the Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federal States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, Palau, and any territory or possession of the United States" are substituted for "any territory or possession of the United States" to clarify that the provisions of the source law apply to those jurisdictions.
In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words "In addition to the property referred to in the preceding sentence, for the purposes of
References in Text
The Supreme Court Grounds Transfer Act of 2005, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), is section 1 of
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2006—Subsec. (b)(2).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Amendment by
Transfer of Jurisdiction Over Certain Real Property to the Supreme Court
"(a)
"(b)
"(1)
"(2)
"(c)
"(1)
"(2)
"(3)
"(A)
"(B)
"(4)
"(A) the legal boundaries described under
"(B) any portion of the United States Capitol Grounds as described under
"(d)
United States Supreme Court Building; Acquisition of Certain Real Property
"
"
"
"
§6102. Regulations
(a)
(1) the adequate protection of the Supreme Court Building and grounds and of individuals and property in the Building and grounds; and
(2) the maintenance of suitable order and decorum within the Building and grounds.
(b)
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6102 | 40:13l. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §7, |
In subsection (a), before clause (1), the word "are" is substituted for "may be deemed" for clarity. In clause (1), the word "individuals" is substituted for "persons" for clarity.
SUBCHAPTER II—BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
§6111. Supreme Court Building
(a)
(1)
(A) the care and maintenance of the grounds; and
(B) the supplying of all mechanical furnishings and mechanical equipment for the Building.
(2)
(3)
(b)
(1) subsection (a) and
(A) expenses of heating and air-conditioning refrigeration supplied by the Capitol Power Plant, advancements for which shall be made and deposited in the Treasury to the credit of appropriations provided for the Capitol Power Plant; and
(B) the purchase of electrical energy; and
(2) the heading "Supreme Court of the United States" and "care of the building and grounds" are available for—
(A) improvements, maintenance, repairs, equipment, supplies, materials, and appurtenances;
(B) special clothing for workers;
(C) personal and other services (including temporary labor without regard to
(D) without compliance with section 6101(b) to (d) of title 41—
(i) for snow removal (by hire of personnel and equipment or under contract); and
(ii) for the replacement of electrical transformers containing polychlorinated biphenyls.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6111(a) | 40:13a(a). | May 7, 1934, ch. 222, §1, |
6111(b)(1) | 40:13a(b). | |
6111(b)(2) | 40:13a note. |
In subsection (b)(1), the words "In addition to the foregoing, any" and "hereafter" are omitted as unnecessary.
In subsection (b)(2), before subclause (A), the words "That for fiscal year 1990 and hereafter" are omitted as executed. In subclause (C), the words "
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2011—Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
2006—Subsec. (b).
§6112. Supreme Court Building and grounds employees
Employees required to carry out
(1) appointed by the Architect of the Capitol with the approval of the Chief Justice of the United States;
(2) compensated in accordance with
(3) subject to subchapter III of
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6112 | 40:13b. | May 7, 1934, ch. 222, §2, |
In this section, before clause (1), the words "to carry out" are substituted for "for the performance of the provisions of" to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (2), the words "
§6113. Duties of the Superintendent of the Supreme Court Building
Except as provided in
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6113 | 40:13c. | May 7, 1934, ch. 222, §3, |
The words "Except as provided in
§6114. Oliver Wendell Holmes Garden
The Architect of the Capitol shall maintain and care for the Oliver Wendell Holmes Garden in accordance with the provisions of law on the maintenance and care of the grounds of the Supreme Court Building.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6114 | 40:13e. | Oct. 22, 1940, ch. 908, §6, |
The words "After the completion and dedication of" are omitted as executed.
SUBCHAPTER III—POLICING AUTHORITY
§6121. General
(a)
(1) to police the Supreme Court Building and grounds and adjacent streets to protect individuals and property;
(2) in any location, to protect—
(A) the Chief Justice, any Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and any official guest of the Supreme Court;
(B) any officer or employee of the Supreme Court while that officer or employee is performing official duties; and
(C) any member of the immediate family of the Chief Justice, any Associate Justice, or any officer of the Supreme Court if the Marshal determines such protection is necessary.1
(3) while performing duties necessary to carry out paragraph (1) or (2), to make arrests for any violation of Federal or State law and any regulation under Federal or State law; and
(4) to carry firearms as may be required while performing duties under
(b)
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6121(a) | 40:13n(a). | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §9(a), |
6121(b) | 40:13n(c). | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §9(c), as added |
In this section, the words "any State" are substituted for "any part of the United States" to eliminate unnecessary words and for consistency with section 6101 of the revised title.
In subsection (a)(3), the words "federal or state law and any regulation under federal or state law" are substituted for "a law of the United States or any State and any regulation under such law" for consistency in the revised title.
In subsection (b), the words "The Marshal of the Supreme Court shall report annually to the Congress on March 1 regarding the administrative cost of carrying out his duties under such subsection" are omitted pursuant to section 3003 of the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995 (
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a)(2)(C).
2019—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (b).
2013—Subsec. (b)(2).
2008—Subsec. (b)(2).
2004—Subsec. (b)(2).
1 So in original. The period probably should be a semicolon.
2 So in original. The dash probably should be preceded by a period.
§6122. Designation of members of the Supreme Court Police
Under the general supervision and direction of the Chief Justice of the United States, the Marshal of the Supreme Court may designate employees of the Supreme Court as members of the Supreme Court Police, without additional compensation.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6122 | 40:13f. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §1, |
§6123. Authority of Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia
The Metropolitan Police of the District of Columbia may make arrests within the Supreme Court Building and grounds for a violation of federal or state law or any regulation under federal or state law. This section does not authorize the Metropolitan Police to enter the Supreme Court Building to make an arrest in response to a complaint, serve a warrant, or patrol the Supreme Court Building or grounds, unless the Metropolitan Police have been requested to do so by, or have received the consent of, the Marshal of the Supreme Court or an assistant to the Marshal.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6123 | 40:13n(b). | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §9(b), |
The words "violation of federal or state law or any regulation under federal or state law" are substituted for "violations of any such laws or regulations", and the words "unless the Metropolitan Police have been requested to do so by, or have received the consent of, the Marshal of the Supreme Court of the United States or an assistant to the Marshal" are substituted for "except with the consent or on the request of the Marshal of the Supreme Court or his assistants", for clarity.
SUBCHAPTER IV—PROHIBITIONS AND PENALTIES
§6131. Public travel in Supreme Court grounds
Public travel in, and occupancy of, the Supreme Court grounds is restricted to the sidewalks and other paved surfaces.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6131 | 40:13g. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §2, |
§6132. Sale of articles, signs, and solicitation in Supreme Court Building and grounds
It is unlawful—
(1) to offer or expose any article for sale in the Supreme Court Building or grounds;
(2) to display a sign, placard, or other form of advertisement in the Building or grounds; or
(3) to solicit fares, alms, subscriptions, or contributions in the Building or grounds.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6132 | 40:13h. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §3, |
§6133. Property in the Supreme Court Building and grounds
It is unlawful to step or climb on, remove, or in any way injure any statue, seat, wall, fountain, or other erection or architectural feature, or any tree, shrub, plant, or turf, in the Supreme Court Building or grounds.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6133 | 40:13i. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §4, |
The word "fountain" conforms to the original text as signed into law by the President. A typographical error was made in printing the source law in the Statutes-at-Large (
§6134. Firearms, fireworks, speeches, and objectionable language in the Supreme Court Building and grounds
It is unlawful to discharge a firearm, firework or explosive, set fire to a combustible, make a harangue or oration, or utter loud, threatening, or abusive language in the Supreme Court Building or grounds.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6134 | 40:13j. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §5, |
§6135. Parades, assemblages, and display of flags in the Supreme Court Building and grounds
It is unlawful to parade, stand, or move in processions or assemblages in the Supreme Court Building or grounds, or to display in the Building and grounds a flag, banner, or device designed or adapted to bring into public notice a party, organization, or movement.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6135 | 40:13k. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §6, |
§6136. Suspension of prohibitions against use of Supreme Court grounds
To allow the observance of authorized ceremonies in the Supreme Court Building and grounds, the Marshal of the Supreme Court may suspend for those occasions any of the prohibitions contained in this subchapter as may be necessary for the occasion if—
(1) responsible officers have been appointed; and
(2) the Marshal determines that adequate arrangements have been made—
(A) to maintain suitable order and decorum in the proceedings; and
(B) to protect the Supreme Court Building and grounds and individuals and property in the Building and grounds.
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Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6136 | 40:13o. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §10, |
§6137. Penalties
(a)
(b)
(c)
(
Revised Section | Source (U.S. Code) | Source (Statutes at Large) |
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6137 | 40:13m. | Aug. 18, 1949, ch. 479, §8, |
In subsection (a), the words "fined under title 18" are substituted for "fined not more than $100" for consistency with
In subsection (b), the words "Superior Court of the District of Columbia" are substituted for "Municipal Court for the District of Columbia" [subsequently changed to "District of Columbia Court of General Sessions" because of sections 1 and 7 of the Act of July 8, 1963 (
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2004—Subsec. (b).