Courthouses

A courthouse is a building that houses courts of law and related government offices. It provides the venue for civil, criminal, and administrative judicial proceedings at municipal, county, state, or national levels. Courthouses also contain court staff, records offices, and sometimes law libraries. They are designed to balance openness to the public with security and due process.

A typical courthouse includes courtrooms, judges’ chambers, prosecutors’ and defense counsel offices, clerks’ offices, and spaces for juries, witnesses, and defendants. Support areas include a law library, archives, and meeting rooms. Most courthouses also have holding cells or secure corridors and public lobbies with security screening.

Courthouses serve multiple jurisdictions: municipal or magistrate courts, county or state trial courts, and appellate or supreme courts; in other countries, federal courts. Some buildings are dedicated to a single court, while others house several courts and related agencies in one complex.

Architectural styles range from classical and monumental to modern. Traditional courthouses often emphasize symmetry, columns, and stone exteriors; modern designs prioritize accessibility, energy efficiency, acoustics, and secure circulation for staff and the public.

The history of courthouses reflects changing ideas about justice and administration. They evolved from town halls and guild halls into purpose-built structures. Advances in technology, including electronic filing, video conferencing, and digital records, have transformed day-to-day operations and access to court services.