Courthouse amenities
Security amenities
Entry/circulation: The building is divided into two major areas -- public access and secured circulation. A single public entry is used as a screening and monitoring point and as card control points into agency space.
Weapon detection: X-ray equipment and body scanners will be at building entrances and possibly at entrances to court floors, if deemed necessary. Parcel scanners will be co-located with body scanners and also may be used to screen incoming mail.
Controlled doors: Locked or monitored doorways will be used to insure the integrity of secured circulation systems. Doors isolating public from secure circulation will be controlled electronically through card access or remote release systems. Major entry/egress systems are staffed by personnel.
Closed circuit: Strategically-placed cameras will monitor secure circulation, public television: passages, court spaces, cashier stations, lobbies and other areas from a central control point. Straight, unobstructed corridors facilitate this type of surveillance.
Duress alarms: A comprehensive system of alarms are installed with anticipated locations in courtrooms, judicial offices, cashier stations, holding areas and main agency reception points.
Communication: A central station will notify officers of the nature and location of any equipment: situation. This might be by direct voice radio contact or more sophisticated alarm response devices.
Card access: Programming access and limiting access to various areas in varying combination reduces the need for security personnel in areas and provides for convenient access on an "as needed" basis.
Life Safety: The building is designed to allow egress quickly from the facility during emergencies.
Technological amenities
Computer based office systems: Systems will include a Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) to provide comprehensive data and case management program, P.C.-based word processing in all the courts, micro imaging by laser disk storage of records, computer-based legal research, Computer Aided Transcription (C.A.T.), key card access, environmental control, automated calendaring, case management, remote case filings, record indexing and computer systems.
Communications: Communication services include telephones, digital message services and FAX capabilities.
Detention/holding facilities
Sallyport: Detainees transported to/from the Courthouse by vehicle will be received at a secured sallyport in the basement of the Courthouse. The facility is not designed for overnight stays by detainees.
Separation of detainees: Male, female and juvenile prisoners will be held in separate holding areas.
Holding cells: Each holding cell has its own toilet facility which eliminates the need for a mandatory staff escort to facilities. A guard station with a security alarm system also is present.
Attorney/client conference booths: Non-contact conference booths and a small contact conference room are in the basement.
Court-floor holding areas: There are holding areas adjacent to each courtroom for detainees scheduled to appear before the court.
Additional amenities
News media room: A news media room is available on the first floor for news conferences.
News media feed: An audio/video feed from selected courtrooms is provided. Each courtroom is designed to accommodate a media pool camera with a link to the news media room on the first floor. A communications link will extend from the news media room to the exterior wall on the south side of the building.
Public law library: The public and attorneys will have access to a major law library on the third floor. The extensive collection includes treatises, legal encyclopedias, law journals, reviews, state and federal statutes and Florida and federal case law. Self-help books also are available, but librarians are not authorized to answer legal questions or give legal advise.
Partial basement: Secured parking, the sallyport, judges’ entrance, detainee holding cells and secured corridors are in the basement.
Special accommodations
Victims and witnesses: Separate waiting rooms for victims and contrary witnesses are provided.
Persons with disabilities: Compliance with ADA requirements including barrier-free access to rooms, work stations, jury boxes, judges’ benches and courtroom clerk work stations, space allowances and reach ranges, accessible routes, areas of refuge for rescue assistance, clearances and appropriate counter heights; provision of hearing assistance systems and services including individual listening assist devices in certain courtroom locations, text telephone, hearing aid compatible and volume control phones and sign language interpretation; provision of assistance for visual impairments including sound directory and Braille instructions and information.
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