A Hall of Justice is an occasional term for a city's police headquarters, and exists in cities across

the United States. In some cases, the facility may house courts, jails and offices of other criminal justice
agencies. In some US cities, the Hall of Justice is called the Justice Center.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_of_Justice
Courthouse: Courtroom

by the National Institute of Building Sciences

Updated:
03-08-2018
OVERVIEW

WITHIN THIS PAGE

 Overview
 Space Attributes
 Relevant Codes and Standards
 Additional Resources

Courtrooms are spaces used to conduct formal judicial proceedings. A courtroom is combined with Judicial
Chambers and related support spaces such as Jury Suites to form a court/chamber "Set". A Courtroom in
a Federal Courthouse includes:

 U.S. Court of Appeals Courtrooms, plus Sound Locks (entry vestibules);

 U.S. District Courtrooms, plus Short-term Exhibit Storage and Public Entrance Sound Locks;
 U.S. Magistrate Courtrooms, plus Short-term Exhibit Storage and Public Entrance Sound Locks;
 U.S. Bankruptcy Courtrooms, plus Short-term Exhibit Storage and Public Entrance Sound Locks.
Courtrooms are typically located on the upper floors of Courthouse building shell and core structures.

Historic County Courthouse in Chardon, Ohio

U.S. Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse in Los Angeles, California
SPACE ATTRIBUTES
Key design concerns in courtrooms include separate circulation patterns for public, prisoner, and judiciary
members; special attention to acoustic and lighting levels; and balancing information technology and A/V
systems design with the need for highly aesthetic spaces. Typical features of courtroom space types
include the list of applicable design objectives elements as outlined below. For a complete list and
definitions of the design objectives within the context of whole building design, click on the titles below.

Technology continues to grow in use and importance within the courtroom including the ability to present
information on multiple devices at the same time.

Accessible
 Courtrooms shall comply with ADA Accessibility Guidelines, section 808, for entrances, turning
space, clear floor space (jury box and witness stand), judges' benches and courtroom stations, as
well as spectator areas.
  Assistive listening systems must be provided for people with hearing disabilities to ensure they
have access to the court proceedings.
 Accessibility lifts: Lifts will have welded construction with electro-hydraulic operation. Ramps will
be provided to Clerks and Jury Box areas. A lift will be provided to the Witness Stand. Judge's
Bench will be served by stair and shared with Witness Stand lift with additional stop. See
GSA's Mechanical Lift Analysis (Accessibility Method for Accommodation of Physically Disabled
People in the U.S. Courthouse Courtrooms).

Lifts for accessibility into the jury box in a courtroom.

Photos courtesy of Lift-U

Aesthetics

 High ceilings: To enhance spatial quality and create a "civic" aesthetic appropriate for the
proceedings and unobstructed courtroom interior views for all participants.
An aesthetically pleasing high ceiling and significant artwork define these two courtrooms

 Custom millwork and furnishings: AWI Premium Grade architectural millwork, wainscot or full
wall height.
The detailed millwork in two different courtrooms

 Seating: Jury Seating is usually fixed based swiveling chairs with upholstered seats, and clear
floor space to accommodate wheelchairs; and may be fitted with A/V monitors. Spectator seating is
typically a wooden pew type, or may be upholstered auditorium type seating.
Jury seating will vary with the design and configuration of the courtroom

Functional / Operational

 Occupancy group classification: is Business B-2, Assembly A-3, with sprinklered protected
construction and GSA Acoustical Class A for critical noise-sensitive spaces.
A Supreme Court interior.
Photo Credit: Coakley Williams Construction
A District Court interior.
Photo Credit: Coakley Williams Construction

Productive
 Acoustical treatments such as upholstered walls or wall/ceiling panels. The Judge must be able
to confer with counsel at the bench out of earshot of other participants.
 Raised floors: A Judge's Bench has a 24" raised dais above the courtroom floor; Courtroom
Deputy Clerk and Law Clerk stations have a 6" raised dais; Witness Stands have 12" raised dais;
and Jury Boxes have a two-level raised platform at 6" and 12" above the courtroom floor. The
public seating area and courtroom "well" have a raised floor—the preferred system for distribution
of critical services (power, voice, data, and HVAC) in Courtroom space types. Raised floors for
Courtrooms may have low-pressure high induction diffusers and be constructed of concrete filled
metal pans at 24" modules with pedestal and stringer support, with intermediate support. Raised
floors allow for adjustment of services to participant furnishings (tables, lecterns, seating) to
accommodate line-of-sight and acoustical separation requirements.
 Pressurized raised floor air supply with ceiling plenum.
 AHUs are part of the building shell and core provisions; assume this space type requires a 25%
increase in cooling capacity. Provide one AHU for every pair of courtrooms. Courtrooms to have
separate zones for the well and public seating. Provide separate thermostat controls at the Judge's
Bench and the Deputy Courtroom Clerk. The Grand Jury Hearing Room to be a separate zone
from other spaces in the Grand Jury Suite.
This judge's bench is raised for optimal viewing across the courtroom and to create the sightlines and
hierarchy necessary for the courtroom's proceedings.

Secure / Safe
 Special finishes: Federal courtrooms typically require ballistics cladding integral with Judges'
benches and other special security features per U.S. Marshals Service design standards.
 Special security features: Emergency power is provided by generator(s) in building shell and core
provisions. Provision for attack-resistant, short-term exhibit storage (safe) is required.

Sustainable
 A high level of indoor air quality must be provided to courtroom spaces but systems should not
interfere with acoustics or security measures.
 Use non-toxic materials and finishes including those with recycled content, low maintenance, and
regional availability.
 A courtroom may have windows (regular or clerestory) or skylights to obtain the benefits of daylight
but must be considered carefully in balance with the security requirements. Windows and skylights
must be sealed, double- or triple-glazed, and equipped to control heat gain/loss, brightness, glare,
noise, and dust infiltration. To prevent distraction and increase security, higher windowsills or
clerestory windows or skylights are more desirable.
 Incorporate energy efficient lighting.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Courtroom. Click here to expand photo
Standard Courtroom (U.S. District). Click here to expand photo