Courthouse Building Research Articles

Architectural Design for Security in Courthouse Facilities

There are more than 3000 courthouses in the United States. Even with the recent nationwide emphasis on court facility planning and construction, many courthouses today still are poorly planned to accommodate current security measures and requirements. The design of court facilities is a unique challenge. At the highest level, court security has a simple purpose: to protect the integrity of court processes and proceedings by providing a safe and secure environment. It is critical that courts not be prevented from administering justice. Key elements of physical security discussed in this article include site perimeters and security requirements; security of sensitive areas adjacent to the courthouse; courthouse building design; appropriate location; security needs of the various courts, agencies, and special uses within the courthouse; and an overview of selected security technologies used by security personnel and court staff.

The Charlotte County Courthouse: Attribution and Misattribution in Jefferson Studies

A reevaluation of the evidence indicates that the courthouse building now standing at Charlotte Court House, Virginia, was built to a design by Thomas Jefferson, just as a legend in that community suggests. An analysis of the physical characteristics of the building and a comparison with a plan previously identified as the Buckingham County Courthouse show that this plan is, in fact, the design used for the Charlotte County Courthouse.1

The Old Court House Buildings, Stafford Court House, Virginia

The Old Court House Buildings, Stafford Court House, Virginia