The Brief Thirteen organizations petitioned Cook County’s chief judge to block civil arrests without judicial warrants at courthouses. Advocates say federal agents’ presence has created fear, particularly at Domestic Violence court. Court advocates say when armed federal agents show up at county courthouses, they create an atmosphere that affects undocumented immigrants and everyone who works there. What we know:Thirteen social and legal organizations filed a petition asking Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County Tim Evans to bar civil arrests without a judicial warrant or order at or around Cook County courthouses. "People were so alarmed by the sight of someone sitting in a car outside Domestic Violence court with an assault rifle, they called 911," said Sharilyn Grace from the Public Defender's Office.