Laserfiche WebLink
The pressure for growth in the Courts is not distant: it is immediate. The District Court <br />has grown by two (2) judges within the last four (4) years. The Circuit Court presently <br />faces a shortage of 2-3 Judges at this time, based upon several analyses by different <br />groups reviewing potential new judgeships during the 1995 Legislative Session. <br />Facilities: <br />With the anticipated growth of Courts over the next 20 years, if the Courts remain in the <br />Courthouse with the physical restrictions of the traditional courtroom approach, the <br />entire courthouse would be filled with courtrooms, chambers and support offices. No <br />future expansion space would be available. The Courthouse would be at capacity with <br />Courts as the only tenant, by that time. <br />Massive renovation would be necessary to encompass appropriate facilities for <br />alternative resolution mechanisms and case screening programs. <br />Additional needs of the Cou~ts were identified, inctuding a substantial number of <br />additional attorney conference rooms, witness waiting areas, law enforcement waiting <br />areas, mediation and arbitration hearings rooms, and similar non-courtroom space. <br />In addition, especially with further growth, a new jury assembly area is absolutely <br />critical. <br />OPTIONS CONSIDERED <br />The initial option considered was expansion within the existing cou~thouse. Three <br />primary concerns were raised. As stated earlier, the Courts would completely fill the <br />present facility within the 20 to 25 year period projected for this project, leaving no <br />future options or flexibility. <br />Secondly, major expense would be required for remodeling to add additional <br />courtrooms and chambers, along with appropriate facilities for initial case screening <br />programs and ADR programs. The building is not conducive to moving away from the <br />traditional "possessory courtroom" philosophy of a courtroom and chambers suite per <br />judge. Renovation to accommodate the "shared courtroom" philosophy would be even <br />more disruptive and costly. <br />Third, the present facility requires significant alternations to provide adequate security. <br />Exterior as well as interior changes would be required. Controlled access, parking, <br />lines of sight, points of concealment, internal traffic patterns and numerous similar <br />security modifications would result in extensive and expensive remodeling. <br />Page - 6 <br />