As a court planner, I have worked with courts that have pursued legal action against counties because the court was not being provided adequate courthouse space. The public has a right to justice, and justice requires functional and secure facilities. When all other measures have been exhausted,...

A recent podcast in the National Association for Court Management’s “Court Leader’s Advantage” series highlights a potentially alarming trend—court filings are down over the long term. The podcast is based on a newly released book that examines state trial court civil filings in five states...

As a court planner, I’ve visited many courthouses that are relics from a prior era that no longer meet the court's needs today. I’ve also toured a smaller number of newer courthouses designed to adapt and evolve as the court and community's needs change. In this article, I’ll discuss a few...

We often find challenges in courthouse planning due to a lack of space for courtrooms, offices, waiting areas, and support services. Inefficient layout designs can confuse visitors, attorneys, and staff, making it challenging to navigate the courthouse. This can lead to overcrowding, long wait...

As a court planner, I am frequently involved in the initial planning stages of new courthouses. Clients often respond that incorporating daylighting is important when considering design goals. I couldn't agree more. In my view, one location offers the best potential for incorporating daylight—the...