NCJ Number
51245
Date Published
1977
Length
222 pages
Annotation
MANY COURTHOUSES IN THE U.S. ARE NO LONGER ADEQUATE TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS FOR WHICH THEY WERE DESIGNED. THIS PROCEDURAL GUIDE EVALUATES AND ACCREDITS COURTHOUSES IN LIGHT OF CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN.
Abstract
WITH THE DEMAND FOR SPEEDIER AND MORE EFFECTIVE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, EACH COMMUNITY MUST EVALUATE THEIR COURTROOM FACILITIES TO DETERMINE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE EVER-INCREASING DEMANDS OF THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM. THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION AUTHORIZED THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES TO AID INTERESTED STATE AND LOCAL GROUPS IN THE EVALUATION PROCESS. THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY FOR EVALUATION IS RECOMMENDED: (1) A LOCAL COLLECTION OF DATA DESCRIBING THE PARTICULAR FACILITY, (2) ONSITE INSPECTION AND RATING OF THE FACILITY BY VISITING EVALUATORS, AND (3) LOCAL CONSIDERATION OF PLANS AND SUGGESTIONS FOR THEIR IMPROVEMENT. FURTHER CRITERIA WERE SUGGESTED FOR THE VARIOUS INTERRELATIONSHIPS THAT OCCUR BETWEEN DIFFERENT FUNCTIONAL SPACES, CIRCULATION SYSTEMS, STRUCTURAL DESIGNS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL SYSTEMS. THE EVALUATION COMMITTEES SHOULD REPRESENT THE WIDEST POSSIBLE RANGE INCLUDING JUDGES, LAWYERS, COURT ADMINISTRATORS, ARCHITECTS, ENGINEERS, MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND PRIVATE CITIZENS. THE GUIDE IS DESIGNED TO SEE THAT ALL FUNCTIONS OF THE FACILITY ARE REVIEWED. IT SHOULD BE USED ON A WIDE RANGE OF COURTHOUSES RATHER THAN A SINGLE, HYPOTHETICAL STRUCTURE. THE COMPILATION OF DATA WILL INCLUDE THE FACILITY'S NAME AND LOCATION, ITS OCCUPANTS, SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES, BUILDING LAYOUT, RELATION TO THE COMMUNITY, HISTORY, COSTS, AND STRUCTURAL ADEQUACY. IT WILL IDENTIFY AND EVALUATE FUNCTIONAL SPACE, CIRCULATION, STRUCTURAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS. THESE AREAS ARE SCORED AND TABULATED ON RATING FORMS TO DETERMINE THE FACILITY'S DEGREE OF ACCEPTABILITY FOR ACCREDITATION. THE FINAL ACCREDITATION SCORE IS GIVEN TO LOCAL OFFICIALS FOR THEIR FINAL ACTION. EXTENSIVE APPENDIXES CONTAINING THE STATE OF GEORGIA JUDICIAL FACILITIES STUDY, THE EVALUATION OF THE CONCORD, MASS., DISTRICT COURTHOUSE, THE ALAMEDA COUNTY COURTHOUSE, CALIF., EVALUATION, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE INCLUDED. (TWM)