1. Fragmentation of court components into multiple facilities – A certain efficiency is gained when all of the court and related components are located in one courthouse. For example, the clerk’s office in the same building is more efficient than the judges’ chambers and courtrooms. Each court and jurisdiction defines the court components that should be located in the courthouse differently.
However, as the components within a courthouse grow in their respective operations and space demands, moving court components away from the courthouse to nearby facilities is a common practice. This is a reality faced by many courts. Moving out court components frees up space in the courthouse for core functions, like courtrooms. However, there comes a day when there are no other components to move out of the courthouse without causing compromises to security and court operations. Such fragmentation can also confuse the public as they may need to learn which building has the court component or proceeding they seek.
2. Lack of courtrooms – In a recent post, we discussed courtroom sharing to reduce space needs. This type of sharing was a matter of policy and preference for the court. However, when a facility lacks courtrooms due to space crowding, judges are forced to share out of necessity. I have seen courthouses so starved for courtroom space that the judges and associated staff work two shifts to keep up with the workload. I have also seen courts that borrow courtrooms from other jurisdictions and even hold court in large conference rooms if that is the only space available.
3. Courtrooms in office space – Due to the lack of courtrooms, many courts create “makeshift” courtrooms in office space. Some of these courtrooms are of adequate size and reasonably
The most concerning courtrooms need more space in the well area to conduct proper proceedings, and the jury box, counsel tables, and witness box are all crammed together in a layout that is not adequate for the functions in the courtroom.
4. Courtrooms being used for other purposes – Another sign of the lack of space is when courtrooms are used as staff conference rooms, jury assembly areas, and grand jury facilities. Again, some courts have a policy of using courtrooms for many purposes, while others have no choice because the courtroom is the only large space available in the courthouse.
This latter situation can cause scheduling conflicts. I have seen staff meetings in courtrooms that end abruptly because a judge needs the courtroom for a proceeding. It is understandable that the courtroom's priority is for the judge. Still, the courthouse lacked meeting room space, which had been repurposed for staff offices and storage.
5. Judges without chambers – Proper chambers are essential to the role and function of the judge. When there is a lack of chamber space, it impacts the ability of the judge to hold sensitive meetings, work with staff, and have a restricted space for security purposes. I have seen judges working from small staff offices off public corridors and sharing chambers with other judges. Perhaps one of the more challenging situations I witnessed was a judge who worked in the courthouse cafeteria for three years while waiting for chambers space.
6. Files and supplies stored in hallways – A frequent sign of inadequ
7. Lack of staff space – I have seen undersized staffing areas where people are jammed so tight that you cannot open filing cabinets without blocking office circulation patterns. I have also seen personnel working in conference rooms and libraries because there are inadequate workstations. Just like the fragmentation of the court and related components into multiple facilities, inefficiencies can arise when court components are fragmented within a courthouse in spaces that are not contiguous and spread out over multiple floors. Many courts have also moved staff offices down into windowless basement areas, which is never an inspiring place to work but often done out of necessity due to the lack of proper office space.
8. Undersized lobby area – A courthouse lobby area should be spacious enough to accommodate foot traffic and security equipment and personnel. Concerns arise when a lobby area is so small that lines of people queue out of the lobby while waiting for security screening. This is not only inconvenient for the people waiting in line, especially in bad weather, but it is also a security hazard because security personnel cannot adequately screen while keeping a watchful eye on everyone in the queue.
9. Electrical capacity – Though not specifically a space issue, many courthouses lack sufficient ⠀electrical outlets for today’s office environment. Many even lack enough power to accommodate modern office equipment. This often results in power outlets with an octopus of cables strung all over offices and courtroom floors, creating tripping hazards. I have seen courthouses where the fuses are regularly blown, and the electricity demand has created fire hazards by overloading wall outlets.
10. Sharing space with critters – Again, not exactly a space quantity issue, but certainly a concern in any courthouse is sharing the facility with unwanted critters. I have seen fire ants in courtrooms, bats in a judge’s chambers,
For example, fire ants crawled into the courtroom through a crack in the courthouse's foundation. In addition, critters in the courthouse can really “creep out” the staff and completely shut down productivity. There’s nothing like a well-placed rat to create havoc in the clerk’s office.
These are ten of the overcrowding concerns that we see most often. Does your courthouse have a space shortage? I would love to hear your stories in the comment section below.
