Ask someone to picture a courthouse, and they'll almost always describe the courtroom. They'll picture a judge on the bench, attorneys presenting their arguments, a witness on the stand, and jurors seated in the jury box. It's understandable. After all, that's where justice is most visible.
But after spending years planning courthouses across the country, I've come to appreciate that some of the most important spaces are the ones most people never notice. They are the spaces designed specifically for jurors.
For most citizens, jury service is their only direct interaction with the justice system. That experience often shapes their perception of the courts long after their service ends. More Americans participate in the judicial system as jurors than as litigants, attorneys, or court employees, making jury facilities one of the courthouse's most important public-facing spaces.
Successful jury facilities do not happen by accident. They result from thoughtful programming, careful operational planning, and a clear understanding of how jurors move through the courthouse from the moment they arrive until they complete their service.
One of the biggest misconceptions I encounter is that planning for juries begins and ends with the jury box. In reality, the jury box is only one stop along a much longer journey.
The process begins in the jury assembly area, where prospective jurors check in and prepare for their civic responsibility. Those selected for service move into the courtroom to hear testimony and evaluate evidence. They then retire to the deliberation room, where private discussions ultimately become a verdict. In courthouses with grand jury operations, an additional suite of specialized spaces supports a completely different judicial function.
Each of these environments has unique operational, security, and functional requirements. Together, they create an experience that allows jurors to focus on one of the most important civic responsibilities they will ever perform.
The jury assembly room is often the first courthouse space prospective jurors experience.
During courthouse programming workshops, one of the first questions I ask is, "How do you summon your jurors?" It sounds simple, but the answer often drives the design of the entire jury assembly area. Before discussing square footage or reviewing floor plans, I want to understand how the court manages its jury process because that single operational decision influences nearly every planning decision that follows.
Too often, jury assembly rooms are treated as little more than waiting areas. They should accomplish much more. The jury assembly area establishes the tone for the entire juror experience. Comfortable seating, efficient check-in, secure storage for personal belongings, nearby restrooms, and convenient refreshment areas help reduce stress before prospective jurors are assigned to a courtroom. Many newer courthouses have expanded on this idea by providing welcoming lounges, computer workstations, and flexible spaces that recognize the value of a citizen's time.
Capacity is one of the most important programming decisions. Many state and local courts summon prospective jurors on a daily or frequent basis, allowing assembly areas to be sized around relatively predictable attendance. Federal courts often operate differently, calling larger pools of prospective jurors on designated days and then dividing that group among several upcoming jury selections. Because multiple trials may be starting at roughly the same time, the jury assembly area often needs to accommodate significantly more people at once.
That operational difference affects far more than the size of the room. It influences occupancy calculations, restroom fixture counts, circulation space, check in operations, personal property storage, and the size of supporting amenities such as juror lounges and vending areas. Getting these decisions right during programming establishes the foundation for an efficient jury operation for years to come.
Once jurors enter the courtroom, the design priorities change.
The jury box is much more than a collection of seats. It is a workspace where citizens absorb testimony, evaluate evidence, and make decisions that may profoundly affect people's lives. That is why planning extends well beyond simply fitting enough jurors into the courtroom.
A successful jury box combines clear sightlines, comfortable seating, integrated technology, accessibility, and secure circulation into a cohesive design. Every juror should be able to see the judge, witnesses, attorneys, and evidence presentation systems without obstruction. Comfortable, ergonomic seating becomes increasingly important during lengthy trials, while integrated technology helps jurors follow today's digital evidence presentations. Equally important is providing accessible accommodations and direct, secure access to the deliberation room without requiring jurors to cross sensitive courtroom areas.
Together, these design decisions remove distractions and allow jurors to focus entirely on the evidence before them.
If I had to identify the single most overlooked space in courthouse planning, it would probably be the jury deliberation room.
I often describe the jury deliberation room as serving two equally important functions.
First, it is a decision-making environment. Jurors need a comfortable setting where they can review evidence, discuss testimony, challenge one another's perspectives, and ultimately reach a verdict. The room should be large enough for everyone to participate comfortably. Comfortable furnishings, appropriate lighting, and a layout that encourages collaboration help jurors focus on the facts rather than the room itself.
Second, it is a protected environment. Deliberations must remain confidential. Secure access and direct circulation to and from the courtroom help preserve that privacy. Good acoustical separation and visual privacy protect the confidentiality of jury discussions. Dedicated restrooms and refreshment areas also allow jurors to remain focused during lengthy deliberations.
One planning feature I particularly appreciate is the use of a square or round deliberation table. Unlike a traditional conference table that naturally creates a "head of the table," a square arrangement reinforces that every juror has an equal voice. It's a subtle design decision, but one that reflects the collaborative nature of jury deliberations.
The room's location is just as important. A direct, secure connection to the courtroom allows jurors to move discreetly without crossing public areas or interacting with litigants. When these planning principles come together, the deliberation room becomes much more than another support space. It becomes an environment designed to encourage thoughtful decision-making while protecting the integrity of the judicial process.
Grand jury facilities operate very differently from trial courtrooms and should be planned accordingly.
Unlike trial juries, grand juries meet repeatedly over extended periods to determine whether sufficient evidence exists for criminal charges to proceed. Their facilities include much more than a hearing room. They require prosecutor preparation space, witness waiting rooms, secure circulation, prisoner holding, juror support areas, and dedicated break facilities.
One of the most important planning distinctions is that grand jury proceedings are directed by the prosecutor rather than the judge. For that reason, I typically recommend locating the grand jury suite adjacent to the prosecutor's office instead of near judges' chambers. This allows prosecutors to efficiently prepare witnesses and evidence while maintaining the confidentiality of the proceedings.
The suite should also be located in a discreet area of the courthouse, away from public activity. Whenever possible, grand jurors should travel through restricted circulation, ideally moving directly from the jury assembly area into the grand jury suite without entering public corridors. These planning decisions improve operational efficiency while reinforcing the confidentiality that is fundamental to grand jury proceedings.
Throughout my career, I've learned that successful courthouse design is measured by more than attractive architecture or efficient floor plans. It is measured by how well the building supports the people who use it. Jurors are no exception. They deserve spaces that are thoughtfully planned for the important role they perform.
Well-designed jury facilities make the courthouse work better. They support security, protect the confidentiality of deliberations, and allow jurors to focus on the evidence before them. Every step of the juror journey matters. When each space is designed with purpose, we do more than create better courthouses. We strengthen public confidence in the justice system.