ASSISTANCE TO THE JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEXAS CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT IN THE PLANNING FOR RENOVATION AND EXPANSION OF ITS EXISTING COURT FACILITY - CRIMINAL COURTS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECT

• NCJ Number: 43779
• Author(s): M A BIGNELL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 14 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice
• Corporate Author: American University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

DESIGN DECISIONS REGARDING THE PLANNED EXPANSION AND RENOVATION OF JEFFERSON COUNTY, TEX., COURT FACILITIES ARE REVIEWED.

Abstract

IN LIGHT OF INCREASINGLY OVERCROWDED CONDITIONS AND GROWING CASELOADS, A BOND ISSUE ALLOCATING $450,000 FOR COURTHOUSE EXPANSION AND RENOVATION WAS PASSED BY JEFFERSON COUNTY VOTERS. THE COURT RETAINED A LOCAL ARCHITECTURAL FIRM TO GUIDE THE RENOVATION EFFORT. IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE COUNTY'S REQUIREMENTS COULD NO LONGER BE MET WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE EXISTING COURTHOUSE STRUCTURE. GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR REMODELING THE EXISTING STRUCTURE AND FOR BUILDING A NEW COUNTY SHERIFF AND JAIL FACILITY WERE DEVELOPED. THE DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES ARE FOUND TO BE SOUND. MAJOR CONSIDERATIONS TO BE ADDRESSED IN PREPARING A FINAL DETAILED SPACE ANALYSIS FOR THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION ARE IDENTIFIED RELATIVE TO COURTROOMS, COURTROOM SUPPORT FACILITIES, COUNTY OFFICE AND COURT-RELATED FUNCTIONS, CIRCULATION IN THE FACILITIES, JURY FACILITIES, AND SAFETY AND SECURITY. VISITS TO A MODEL COURTROOM IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND TO A NEWLY CONSTRUCTED COURT FACILITY IN CLEVELAND, OHIO, ARE RECOMMENDED, AS IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A BUILDING COMMITTEE.