Chapter 4: Courtrooms
Special proceedings and unusually large multiple-party trials require a courtroom
of 3,000 NSF (278.7 Nm2) and a proportional ceiling height of 18 feet (5500 mm).
Such a courtroom should be provided only when needed, and there must be at least
four standard USDC courtrooms in the building before one of the four may be
designated a special proceedings courtroom. Provision of more than one such
courtroom in any federal court facility requires authorization from the appropriate
circuit council.
Programming Notes
The availability of standard USDC
courtrooms for other proceedings and the
sharing of courtrooms should be
considered.
Circuit judicial council approval is
required for special proceedings
courtrooms located apart from the
district's headquarters. Approval is also
needed for en banc appeals courtrooms
located outside of circuit headquarters
courthouses.
Special proceedings courtrooms must be
assigned for normal daily use, in addition
to being used for special proceedings and
large, multiple-party trials.
Magistrate Judge's Court
Proceedings typically conducted by magistrate judges include multiple defendants
or litigants and a number of spectators. Magistrate judges require a courtroom of
approximately 1,800 NSF (167.2 Nm2) and a proportional ceiling height of 16 feet
(4900 mm). The well of the courtroom must accommodate a judge's bench, court
personnel workstations, a witness box, a 12-person jury box, and at least two
attorneys' tables for lawyers, plaintiffs, defendants, and interpreters. Space must
be allowed for exhibit display and USMS personnel stationed around the perimeter
of the well.
12/19/97
4-41
Previous Page
