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Courthouse Construction: Better Courtroom Use Data Could Enhance Facility Planning and Decisionmaking

GGD-97-39 Published: May 19, 1997. Publicly Released: May 19, 1997.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the General Services Administration's (GSA) construction and renovation of federal courtrooms, focusing on: (1) how often and for what purposes courtrooms have been used; and (2) what steps the judiciary is taking to assess space and courtroom usage issues.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, Federal Judicial Center (FJC), and the Judicial Conference of the United States' committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include establishing criteria for determining effective courtroom utilization and a mechanism for collecting and analyzing data at a representative number of locations so that trends can be identified over time and better insights obtained on court activity and courtroom usage.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, Federal Judicial Center (FJC), and the Judicial Conference of the United States' committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include establishing criteria for determining effective courtroom utilization and a mechanism for collecting and analyzing data at a representative number of locations so that trends can be identified over time and better insights obtained on court activity and courtroom usage.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, Federal Judicial Center (FJC), and the Judicial Conference of the United States' committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include establishing criteria for determining effective courtroom utilization and a mechanism for collecting and analyzing data at a representative number of locations so that trends can be identified over time and better insights obtained on court activity and courtroom usage.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts The Director, AOUSC, the Director, Federal Judicial Center (FJC), and the Judicial Conference of the United States' committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include establishing criteria for determining effective courtroom utilization and a mechanism for collecting and analyzing data at a representative number of locations so that trends can be identified over time and better insights obtained on court activity and courtroom usage.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include designing and implementing a methodology for capturing and analyzing data on latent usage, courtroom scheduling, and other factors that may substantially affect the relationship between the availability of courtrooms and judges' ability to effectively administer justice.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include designing and implementing a methodology for capturing and analyzing data on latent usage, courtroom scheduling, and other factors that may substantially affect the relationship between the availability of courtrooms and judges' ability to effectively administer justice.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include designing and implementing a methodology for capturing and analyzing data on latent usage, courtroom scheduling, and other factors that may substantially affect the relationship between the availability of courtrooms and judges' ability to effectively administer justice.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include designing and implementing a methodology for capturing and analyzing data on latent usage, courtroom scheduling, and other factors that may substantially affect the relationship between the availability of courtrooms and judges' ability to effectively administer justice.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include using these data and criteria to explore whether the one judge, one courtroom practice is needed to promote efficient courtroom management or whether other courtroom assignment alternatives exist.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include using these data and criteria to explore whether the one judge, one courtroom practice is needed to promote efficient courtroom management or whether other courtroom assignment alternatives exist.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include using these data and criteria to explore whether the one judge, one courtroom practice is needed to promote efficient courtroom management or whether other courtroom assignment alternatives exist.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include using these data and criteria to explore whether the one judge, one courtroom practice is needed to promote efficient courtroom management or whether other courtroom assignment alternatives exist.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include establishing an action plan with time frames for implementing and overseeing these efforts.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Administrative Office of the United States Courts The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include establishing an action plan with time frames for implementing and overseeing these efforts.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include establishing an action plan with time frames for implementing and overseeing these efforts.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.
Other The Director, AOUSC, the Director, FJC, and the Judicial Conference's committees on Court Administration and Case Management and Security, Space and Facilities should design and implement cost-effective research to fully examine the courtroom usage issue to form a better basis for determining the number and type of courtrooms needed, as well as whether each district judge needs a dedicated courtroom. This effort should include establishing an action plan with time frames for implementing and overseeing these efforts.
Closed – Implemented
AOC has hired Ernst & Young to examine space use issues including courtroom utilization. When staff became available, the plan is to examine Ernst & Young's study to see if it will have an impact on courtroom utilization and the recommendation. It is GAO's view that a followup assignment will be needed to adequately assess any AOC changes in this area and their applicability to the recommendations.

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Courtroom proceedingsFacility managementFederal courtsGovernment facility constructionHearingsJudgesTrialsFederal judiciaryCourthousesConstruction