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Earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic, roughly 12,000-15,000 jurors can be summoned annually, and roughly 40 out of the full 52 weeks subsequent 12 months are tentatively scheduled for a trial, Stephenson mentioned.
The present jury meeting room seats 130 individuals at full capability, and the brand new one would maintain greater than 250 individuals.
Stephenson mentioned the hope is {that a} larger jury meeting room will assist “effectively test in jurors and get them to the fitting courtrooms.”
“This might end out the final shell house within the constructing,” Stephenson mentioned. “We’ve been right here 20 years, and that is the final unfinished space that can permit us to maximise the usage of the house.”
So far as concepts for the present jury meeting room, one plan contains utilizing the house as an extra courtroom for civil and home hearings.
With the approval by the commissioners, work will kick off subsequent week with pre-construction conferences and provide orders.
The $1.7 million price ticket is greater than what was beforehand budgeted 4 years in the past, one thing Stephenson attributed to elevated development prices seen elsewhere.
Past constructing out the house with flooring and ceilings, the jury meeting room additionally wants audio/visible tools.
Stephenson mentioned they’re planning on a roughly six-month buildout, nicely conscious that there are potential delays because of supply-chain points.
The courts have sworn in three judges this 12 months: two judges in Juvenile Courtroom and one in Probate Courtroom.
“We’re rapidly outgrowing and have outgrown in plenty of methods the present courthouse and the annex,” Stephenson mentioned.
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