Meetings Steering Committee(Folders 1-2)

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The Judges of the Circuit and District Courts have considered the option of decentralization, as a means of minimizing the need for space in the Courthouse. This would require subject matter specialization, and additional space demands at remote sites. Operational costs also increase with decentralization. Based upon a discussion and reviev~ of the advantages and disadvantages of decentralization, the Sub- ` Committee agrees with the unanimous position of the Circuit and District Court Judges that centralization of facilities and support operations allows the greatest flexibility for the Bench, is more procedurally and cost-efficient, and is clearly preferred. ADDITIONAL NEEDS Additional needs of the Courts were identified, including a substantial number of additional attorney conference rooms, witness waiting areas, law enforcement waiting areas, mediation and arbitration hearing rooms, and similar non-courtroom space. The other primary area of concern is the jury assembly room. The present jury assembly facility is located on the 2nd floor of the Marion County Courthouse and has a seating capacity of 49, based upon fire marshall regulations. The average jury panel is in excess of 150. On most days, the number of jurors required to report to the courthouse exceeds the stated capacity of 49. Further, the location of the jury assembly room places an additional and often unnecessary burden on the courthouse elevator system, and exposes potential jurors to inadvertent contact with lawyers, litigants, criminal defendants, police o~cers and others with whom the jurors should have no contact outside of the courtroom. SECURITY The Committee was also charged with the responsibility of assessing security issues, and upon its review found many significant areas of concern. The Committee noted that more than 50 separate security reports were filed by the Marion County Courts with the Oregon Judicial Department, involving incidents ranging from weapons violations to physical assaults to threats of the lives of Judges, lawyers, litigants and jurors, to reported bombs on the premises. While it was noted that the Marion County Sheriffs O~ce provides as much security as presently possible and responds promptly and efficiently to requests for assistance, it was nevertheless noted that security is woefully inadequate on all court premises. Beginning with 1994, a Security Assessment was created by the Oregon State Legislature within each County. The Fund receives money from assessments in criminal cases and is to be spent to enhance security in courthouses and court facilities in the counties where the revenue is generated. Based upon the revenue to be generated in this dedicated fund, piecemeal security enhancements will be possible in the years ahead. It was noted, however, that only limited security improvements will be funded based upon the size of this account. Also, the primary cost of enhanced security is staffing, due to the nature .of the present courthouse. The courthouse -3-