A courthouse is more than a place to hold hearings—it’s a symbol of justice and public trust. However, when a building is poorly maintained, the consequences extend far beyond its aesthetic appeal. It can become a daily obstacle to staff, a frustration for the public, and a long-term liability for the community.
When Buildings Crumble, So Does Confidence
Poor maintenance sends the wrong message. Cracked walls, broken tiles, peeling paint, and water stains erode confidence in the justice system. For the public walking in, it's not just an eyesore—it feels like an afterthought. For staff working there daily, it can chip away at morale and pride in their workplace.
During jury orientation in an aging courthouse, the ceiling tiles above the jury assembly room sagged visibly, stained from years of leaks. As the orientation video played, a flickering light overhead and the distant rumble of a malfunctioning HVAC unit made it hard to hear—or focus. I couldn’t help but wonder: if this is the first impression, what must jurors think about the system they’ve been summoned to serve?
And the damage goes beyond appearances.
Inefficiency Built Into the Walls
Fragmented office layouts caused by outdated renovations or neglected upgrades reduce efficiency. Staff lose time navigating around makeshift spaces and disconnected departments. Court proceedings get delayed when participants become lost or misdirected.
In one courthouse I visited, the jury deliberation room routinely hit over 90°F in the summer. A portable air conditioning unit wheezed in the corner, but it was no match for the heat. Jurors couldn’t focus—let alone deliberate—during the hottest part of the day. Productivity suffers when the building doesn’t function.
In another courthouse, the walls were so thin that every restroom trip became part of the official record. Every time someone stepped out, the courtroom was treated to a symphony of whooshes and gurgles—hardly the soundtrack for serious proceedings.
From Damp Ceilings to Fire Ants
Lack of maintenance also opens the door—literally and figuratively—to hazards. Leaky roofs and outdated HVAC systems lead to hot and cold zones, dampness, and even mold. These aren’t minor annoyances—they’re health risks for the people who work and serve in the courthouse every day.
And then there’s the story I’ll never forget: I once visited a courthouse where foundation cracks had been ignored for so long, they turned into an open invitation—for fire ants. The gaps grew wide enough for the ants to march up from below and right across the judge’s bench. The judge had to start using his gavel for pest control as much as for courtroom order. It was justice... with a side of extermination. Just goes to show—when small problems are left to fester, they don’t just grow—they crawl.
Security Risks Hiding in Plain Sight
When courthouses aren't properly maintained or updated, security quickly becomes a patchwork effort—and that patchwork often leaves gaps. Many older facilities lack secure circulation routes for in-custody defendants, up-to-date surveillance systems, or even basic access controls. These vulnerabilities don't just threaten safety—they increase liability for everyone involved.
In one courthouse we assessed, there were no proper detainee holding facilities. Instead, they’d improvised by bolting cage bars to the ceiling and walls of a former office space. The “holding room” was filled with lawn chairs and abandoned office furniture, looking more like a thrift store than a secure area. When the security officer told me there had never been a major incident in the cage, I could only assume they were housing the most courteous detainees in the country.
Jokes aside, relying on luck and polite behavior isn’t a security strategy. Without dedicated secure spaces and infrastructure, the risk to staff, the public, and even detainees increases with every passing day.
Safety and Liability at Stake
Maintenance neglect can lead to serious safety risks. In my office, I keep a chunk of concrete as a paperweight—a piece of façade that fell from an eight-story courthouse just as we were walking out. Had it hit anyone, the outcome could have been tragic. Decades later, that same building still hasn’t been properly repaired and continues to crumble into the street.
Deferred maintenance may seem like a way to save money in the short term, but in reality, it simply defers the cost—until the repair becomes an emergency, the disruption unavoidable, or the hazard impossible to ignore.
A Smarter Path Forward
When a courthouse is crumbling and operations are disjointed, the answer isn’t just patchwork repairs—it’s a comprehensive plan. A professional needs assessment provides the foundation for that plan, identifying where the building is failing, how workflows are disrupted, and where security vulnerabilities exist. From overcrowded clerk offices to unsecured prisoner transport routes, a needs assessment connects the dots between physical disrepair and operational risk.
With clear data in hand, decision-makers can prioritize improvements that enhance security, restore functionality, and increase public confidence. Whether it's reconfiguring circulation, consolidating fragmented offices, or simply improving signage, small investments—guided by a comprehensive plan—can yield big returns in safety and efficiency.
Don’t Let the Building Speak Louder Than the System
A courthouse should reflect the strength and integrity of the justice system it houses. When it's falling apart, disorganized, or unsafe, it sends the opposite message. The cost of doing nothing isn’t just higher in the long run—it’s immediate, visible, and damaging to public trust. But with the right tools, like a needs assessment, there’s a path forward. One that repairs more than just walls—it restores function, safety, and faith in the system.
