Class Report 2.12.18
01. Edward W. Brooke Courthouse – Visit II – new
observations, information & answered questions
a.
Today is Monday: “Entry Day”
-
Last day to file a case for the week
-
People sometimes interpret this as the only day
to file a case
-
A person was situated outside the Clerk office
for extra assistance on this day
b.
Entry lobby
-
The line to get into the building wasn’t as long
as last time
-
Paul met us in the lobby (potential meeting
place for other people)
-
Small screens that were included in the original
design, but never utilized
-
We conducted a test on the monitor outside the
elevator to see how easy it was to navigate and get information from
o
We used the name “Smith” to figure out the court
case number, the time and the courtroom for the case
c.
Atrium space
-
New display about African American experience
with the Mass. Courts
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Titled “Long Road to Justice”
-
The display has circulated through other
courthouses, staying several months –
but will now stay permanently at the Brooke Courthouse where it was first
displayed
-
Included photos, quotes & descriptions of
the history of courthouses and specific cases
d.
Court Service Center (CSC)
-
Training, counseling & other resources for
people coming to the courthouse
-
This amenity is typical in most courthouses
-
It was originally the location of the daycare
-
Lots of people waiting in the first, small room
– 3 people being helped at the time when we were there
-
Inner space consisted of several desks/tables in
an open concept with a few private spaces/offices
-
All forms needed are offered here
-
Are forms offered online?
o
Some are offered online – some forms need to be
stamped and have original signatures, which is difficult in a digital world
e.
Law Library
-
The library is being combined with the CSC
because books are needed as much now that things are digitalized
-
The people that worked in the library are also
trained to assist people so they will become part of the CSC
f.
Clerk Office
-
Signs above the main desk are in legal terms –
the ordinary person isn’t familiar with these terms
-
They are working on getting rid of some records
so there are boxes dating back to 10 years ago
-
They staff mentioned that they are trying to
renovate the space so that all the staff desks have a view of the main desk –
right now, the cubicles/dividers are tall and block the view
g.
Mediation Rooms
-
Typical room is approximately 8’ x 10’
-
People usually talk in the room for 30-45
minutes
-
Usually holds the housing specialist, tenant and
landlord (sometimes another person is also present)
-
In the case that there are more people, there
are larger conference rooms that can hold more people (the rooms in the
vestibules of the courtrooms are an option)
h.
What happens if they don’t get through all the
cases in one day
-
They come back another day – typically schedule
a day that isn’t as busy and that works with the landlord and tenant
i.
Are people allowed to leave the courthouse to
get food/have a break?
-
The judge will call an afternoon recess for
about an hour – there are several places on the street to go to that will take
20 minutes