Which jurisdictions use a raised sword for ceremonial court security?
In my area (Ontario), up until 1995, the Sheriff carried an upraised sword when escorting the judge into high court.
Where is this still being done?
Never heard of it in U.S. courts, though it might occur somewhere.
In some legislatures (U.K. Parliament, U.S. Congress), an officer will carry a ceremonial mace (although I think it is supposed to represent a scepter, rather than a weapon).
For that matter, the sword may have represented the court’s power to punish, rather than the need to protect the judge.
Well, in the UK Parliament, each House has its own Mace, which represents the Sovereign’s power, essentially symbolising the Queen’s consent that the House sit.
Back in the Middle Ages, this mace was an actual damage-dealing weapon, meant to be used to escort MPs and Lords from Parliament to London, but it grew over time into this huge, ornate thing.
The ‘escorting’ duty still has echoes today; when either House adjourns and members are heading out, nearby police officers will shout ‘Who goes home?’, indicating their ancient duty to escort them into the City.
And when the Queen enters Parliament, she does so accompanied by courtiers bearing symbolic swords.
Sorry, dorky diversion over 
It also may symbolize justice - cutting through the lies to reach the truth.
Not from a court, but in the US the Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Representatives has the Mace, composed of thirteen ebony rods bound by silver, topped by a silver globe with an eagle. The Sergeant enters with the Mace, which sits on a pedestal to the Speaker’s right. The Sergeant may lift the Mace to assert authority and restore order whenever a member gets unruly.
Reminiscent somewhat of a Roman fasces, bound rods and all. No axe blade though.
As to the OP, the serjeant at arms in the House of Commons carry an actual sword.
Correction: high court sitting on criminal matters, not sitting on civil matters.
Wouldn’t a giant pair of scissors be more suited to the task?
I’ve just been reading “Phineas Redux” by Anthony Trollope, and they mentioned an under-sheriff in a courthouse carrying a ceremonial sword. But that was ca. 1870…
How about a giant syringe and hypodermic needle, symbolically full of sodium pentothal?
I’m re-reading Gangs Of New York, the 1928 book that was the inspiration for the recent film; apparently sheriffs and under-sheriffs still used staffs (staves?) of office well into the early 19th century. Evidently, also, the U.S. Marshall for the city continued to wear a sword for formal occasions, like executions.
You are an optimist. I believe that it derives from the medieval Lord High Constable. His badge of office was a sword. The sword symbolized “his authority to put people to death, without delay or appeal.”
Muffin’s assertion that it was used in criminal trials, but not civil cases, would tend to support this hypothesis.
When I visited the U.S. Supreme Court in the late Eighties, the carpeting had a pattern showing repeated fasces. I’ve been back since and they’ve changed it to something not so prone to political misunderstanding.
I know of no ceremonial court swords in Ohio. South Carolina has a state sword that’s displayed in the state senate, though: http://www.scstatehouse.gov/studentpage/coolstuff/seal.shtml
Several swords are used in the British coronation ceremony and other state occasions: Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom - Wikipedia
You can see them here:
http://www.irishoriginsofcivilization.com/miscimages/royalregalia.jpg
http://media.thespec.com/images/d7/80/a2484fff4e78b7c3f6bb4f8e576a.jpg
Symbolic swords of justice were displayed in some British courtrooms, at least in the past; this is the only such picture I was able to find:
Just came across this thread and thought I’d add that the sword is commonly used with statues representing “Lady Justice.”
One of the most famous is the statue of Lady Justice over the Old Bailey in London. She’s blindfolded, to represent impartiality; carries the scales of justice in one hand, to measure the case fairly; and an upraised sword in another, to enforce the court’s decision.
There are two statues outside the Supreme Court of Canada: Veritas (“Truth”) and Justitia (“Justice”). Justice carries a sword. I’ve always liked the symbolism of the two: Truth is bold, uncovered, and pointing firmly at a particular document; Justice is hooded, carrying the sword, partly concealed, and mysterious. Justice does work in mysterious ways.
[nitpick]
The Old Bailey statue isn’t blindfolded.
[/nitpick]
And here she is with an old friend: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PqQZj-Hkrjc/T3xq29vTYyI/AAAAAAAADFw/OyAYoqD6xWs/s1600/Rumpole+of+the+bailey.jpg
The statue is also wistfully, regretfully spoken to by V. in the graphic novel V for Vendetta.
Sorry - I must have been thinking of another one.
A large shovel?
Court no 1 in the City of London Magistrates Court has very big sword hanging behind the bench.