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court space reForm
Treatment and Community Courts The adjudicatory processes in treatment and community courts, quite different from traditional adversarial approaches in criminal and civil matters, condition use of adjudication space, the way the courts operate and the relationships between the judge, support staff, and litigants. The most distinctive differentiation is the role of non-judicial personnel in defining issues and securing outcomes in cases. A collaborative process is used by judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers, treatment/corrections staff, and the community to reduce recidivism, crime, and substance abuse while increasing accountability, victim services, and social values. Community courts emphasize collaboration, crime prevention, and improved outcomes, including lower recidivism and safer communities through these practices: •
Individualized Justice
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Expanded Sentencing Options
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Varying Mandate Length
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Offender Accountability
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Community Engagement
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Community Impacts
Adjudication processes in these court cases are of diagnostic or therapeutic application of the law. As a result, space and office arrangements in and around treatment and community courtrooms must be able to accommodate multiple appearances by litigants, an adequate public gallery or remote viewing for clients, family, and friends, and private space for interactions between the court and professional staff, and an adequate number of conference, meeting, and, as appropriate, drug testing areas. Meeting space is essential for those engaged in court events. Rooms designed for lawyer-to-client, lawyer-to-lawyer, mediation, counseling, and private discussions should be equipped with integrated technology allowing for remote participation. A variety of sizes should be provided whenever possible. Satellite office/workspace for prosecutors, public defenders, and social service professionals who routinely attend proceedings and safe, secure space for witness and victim waiting are necessary. This may also take the form of a centralized conference center in the building for scheduled use by all tenant agencies. Significant special events do not occur daily, but access to a space to accommodate training, conferences, committee meetings, receptions, and ceremonies is needed. As a shared amenity, this space should be located in a neutral location where it can be easily accessed by all building user groups and the general public. Courts will continue to provide the public with online, digital access to court services. The expanded online remote services may reduce the in-person appearances of many, but not all, court customers.
THE INCREASING AVAILABILITY OF PUBLIC ACCESS TO CONDUCT BUSINESS WILL ENHANCE COURT SERVICE CAPACITY.
