In the United States, the preeminent ideal concerning the justice system is that all people are innocent until proven guilty. The reality of the system, however, is not so cut and dry. Biases, mental health crises, and inequity all play a part in creating unjust circumstances for those accused of a crime. What role does architecture have to play in the judicial system? The architecture of our courthouses communicates that people are guilty until proven innocent. Movement through the courts is highly choreographed, creating a rigidity and hierarchy that encourages an us-them mentality and fosters a sense of "otherness." What does that communicate to the judge or jury–that this person is less than human? Our modern courtroom form is rooted in Roman basilica form, as judicial proceedings would happen there. It is a highly theatrical, highly structured space with a hierarchy built up in elevation–placing different levels of value on individuals. What would a courtroom look like where everyone, even though they have varying amounts of power based on their respective roles, sees eye to eye? What is the role of architecture in this question? My goal is to design a courtroom and resulting courthouse where, for the duration of the proceedings, everyone has the same level of perceived humanity. / Master of Architecture / In the United States, the preeminent ideal concerning the justice system is that all people are innocent until proven guilty. The reality of the system, however, is not so cut and dry. Biases, mental health crises, and inequity all play a part in creating unjust circumstances for those accused of a crime. What role does architecture have to play in the judicial system? The architecture of our courthouses communicates that people are guilty until proven innocent. Movement through the courts is highly choreographed, creating a rigidity and hierarchy that encourages an us-them mentality and fosters a sense of "otherness." What does that communicate to the judge or jury–that this person is less than human? I am exploring all of these questions and more in my thesis. The proposed building will replace the Alexandria, Virginia Courts building on King Street, which currently hides behind an office building and embodies the rigidity and secrecy of the judicial process. The new courts building emphasizes transparency, streamlines movement, and reimagines the courtroom as a place where people gather at a table.

The New Baltimore Federal Courthouse was to be memorable. It would symbolize the transparency, power, and public worth of the American judicial system. It would be a modern temple to justice that would be worthy of the public\'s trust. The new courthouse was to be progressive, with sky gardens rising in the tower overlooking the Baltimore Convention Center and over the harbor. This courthouse was to be a high performing, bioclimatic skyscraper and its stewardship to the environment would be as literally transparent as the courtroom would be figuratively. The procession of would be a heightened experience of majesty for the public, who would visit the courthouse out of civic duty and also privilege to participate in justice. / Master of Architecture

The two most successful preservation initiatives in Texas are the Main Street Program (TMSP) and the Historic Courthouse Preservation Program (THCPP). A downtown revitalization strategy and grant fund program respectively, the initiatives are structurally different. However, they inevitably affect the same communities. The two organizations have never combined forces to achieve their goals, but the potential to integrate efforts could lead to reviving many more Texas communities. This study investigates the question: how can the TMSP and THCPP coordinate to create stronger preservation efforts in counties across the state? The program processes were analyzed to better understand the mechanisms used to carry out each initiative at the state and local level. Then, twelve case study cities were evaluated in order to understand the interactions at the local level. Interviews with program professionals, occupancy surveys, and reinvestment statistics were used to discern these effects. Through the interventions of both programs, all twelve cities have seen a decrease in vacancy ratings and an increase in rehabilitation projects. However, no Main Street program had any input into their local courthouse restoration. Alternatively, the courthouse restoration boosts local pride and ownership in the surrounding community, but these results are just “snow ball” effects; the restoration does not consider its impact on the greater community. The investigation also shows that rural communities rely more on the courthouse square to function as a traditional county seat, while suburban communities are transitioning their courthouses into new uses. Coordinating the TMSP and THCPP initiatives and creating preservation efforts at the county level could result in the successful revitalization of more rural communities across Texas, who could not achieve it on their own. / text

abstract: Courthouse dogs (sometimes referred to as facility animals) are expertly trained canines which may be used to assist individuals with psychological, emotional, or physical difficulties in a myriad of courtroom situations. While these animals are increasingly used to assist young witness to court, the jury is still out on whether or not they are prejudicial to the defendant. No known research exists in this area, although research is necessary to determine the possibly prejudicial nature of these animals. Using a mock trial paradigm involving a child sexual abuse case, the current study employed a 2 (Witness type: victim vs. bystander) x 3 (Innovation type: courthouse dog vs. teddy bear vs. none) fully-crossed factorial design. It was hypothesized that witness type and innovation type would interact to differentially impact jurors' judgments about the trial, defendant, and child witness. In addition, it was posited that emotions, such as anger and disgust, would also affect judgments and decision-making. Results indicate that courthouse dogs and comfort toys did impact jurors' decision making in some ways. In addition, emotions and witness credibility predicted sentencing, verdict, and other trial judgments. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Psychology 2013

The project is a courthouse designed in the town of Blacksburg. It will not only provides an important and functional public building in the local architectural history, but also improves the urban situation and zoning separation of the town. The corner condition of the project is the focus point of the design, with the architectural interpretation of transition of the scale, material, and the path. The hierarchy of the civic spirit is considered in the façade as well as in the courtrooms themselves. / Master of Architecture

No description available.

Based on the analysis of the empirical research data from a Survey Questionnaire completed by 374 lawyers and 197 clients who participated in 606 judicially conducted Judicial Dispute Resolution (JDR) sessions (JDR Program) in the Court of Queens Bench of Alberta (the Court) in the year ending June 2008, the authors judicial experience, and legal literature research, it is asserted that the Courts JDR Program has become an integral, normative, and institutional part of the resolution of disputes litigated in the Court. This has been achieved through a judicially led process utilizing multi-faceted dispute resolution techniques, with considerable quantitative and qualitative success. All this has led to more demand by lawyers and litigants for the JDR Program, in which these components have, over time, combined in a symbiotic and synergistic way. Thus, it is asserted that the Multi-door Courthouse is open in Alberta. / Dispute Resolution

Thesis (M.A.)--Duquesne University, 2005. / Title from document title page. Abstract included in electronic submission form. Includes bibliographical references (p. 44-46) and index.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第20698号 / 工博第4395号 / 新制||工||1683(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科建築学専攻 / (主査)教授 竹山 聖, 教授 山岸 常人, 准教授 田路 貴浩, 教授 三浦 研 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) / Kyoto University / DFAM

At the turn of the twentieth century, City Beautiful principles manifested themselves in the historic core of New Orleans: the Vieux Carre. City and state officials determined that the Cabildo and Presbytere were no longer suitable sites for the Louisiana Supreme Courts, and set about erecting a monumental, Beaux Arts-style courthouse amid the dense, vernacular built environment of the French Quarter. Two hundred fifty-one individuals were displaced as a result of the expropriation and demolition of forty-one structures occupying the square bounded Royal, Chartres, Conti and St. Louis streets. While significant scholarly research has interpreted the motives and visions of Progressive-era urban reformers, few studies have addressed issues of power in shaping these narratives and in silencing the past. Through its analysis of the planning processes surrounding the Louisiana Supreme Court Building, this thesis acknowledges these silences and raises questions about those most impacted: the displaced.