A high-profile trial can quickly change the demands placed on a courthouse. The building must continue supporting its normal operations while accommodating larger crowds, heightened security, extensive media coverage, prolonged proceedings, and additional technology.

Several years ago, I was interviewing court stakeholders as part of a courthouse planning study. A judge mentioned that an interesting trial was scheduled to begin in her courtroom the following morning. I told her I would return to observe it.

Court filings are declining in many jurisdictions. Does that mean future courthouses will need fewer courtrooms?

Not necessarily.

Courtroom utilization analysis can reveal opportunities to reduce construction costs, rightsize courtrooms, and better align courthouse space with current and future operations.

Yet the analysis often encounters resistance before the findings are even presented. That resistance is understandable....

For decades, one of the most common assumptions in courthouse planning has been that every judge requires a dedicated courtroom. While this approach offers operational simplicity, it also drives some of the highest costs in courthouse construction and long-term facility operations.