01. Edward W. Brooke Courthouse
Information desk
No people work at the desk to help people
Monitors take a while to scroll through the
names
If you miss your name, you have to wait a few
minutes for it to come up again
The font on the monitors is small and the lists
are confusing to read
One lady walked behind the desk to read the
monitors
Monitor technology is provided by outside
company
If you’re running late, you might miss your case
being called
There are 30+ spaces in the building where you
might need to be
Not many clocks in the building – some didn’t
even have the right time
b.
Building layout
Entry path: security à stair/escalator à atrium à stairs à courtrooms
6 floors
1: registry of deeds
2 & 3: transaction floor
4 & 5: court rooms
Designated courtrooms: family court, probate,
housing, criminal arrangement
6: offices, smaller courtrooms
Directories are on the walls/columns, not in main
circulation path & easy to miss
Two entries (back and front)
Touch-screen monitor directory right outside
elevators
Shows courtrooms, bathrooms, offices and “you
are here”
Only shows current floor that you are on
Screen has a home, directory, search docket and
FAQ button and a handicap and language option
FAQ section doesn’t have any questions or
answers programmed yet
Handicap option lowers the text on the screen to
make it easier to reach
Only includes English and Spanish
c.
Housing Court
3 judges
190 Cases on the list for today
85% success rate
Mediation = third party to help people settle
disputes, discussions are confidential
Order of the court = decision/arrangement that
must be obeyed
Housing court office for filling paperwork,
asking questions, making payments, etc.
Room attached to wait for court hearings
Names will be called in the waiting room and
corridors
Lawyer of the Day
Sponsored by the BAR Association
Volunteer attorneys
Assistance for tenants and landlords
Offering basic advice, mediation and even
defending a case
“Come down before the day of your court hearing”
“Bring any evidence that you have – witnesses,
paperwork, etc.”
Entry to courtroom has one or two conference
rooms for defendants and prosecutors to talk beforehand if needed
Big Take Away: The courthouse layout and services attempt to
help the user and make it easy for people who come in for hearings. However, it
is clear that there can be improvements in some areas including changes in the
technology, assistance offered, etc.