The ribbon-cutting for the new $313 million Clackamas County Courthouse was a scene of celebration and relief among county officials. After a four-year process likened to "the longest labor anybody had ever performed in history" by former County Chair Tootie Smith, the six-story, 257,000-square-foot building is poised to serve the growing population better. According to officials, the courthouse is expected to start operations on May 19, which marks the fruition of a long-held ambition to replace the aging judicial facilities, reported KGW.
The predecessor to the new judicial center was often criticized for lacking the necessary space and infrastructure to handle the county's caseload effectively. With not enough courtrooms or judges, some cases were languishing for years. The new facility aims to rectify these issues, as it houses more courtrooms and is designed to streamline the justice system. Former presiding judge and current Circuit Court Judge Kathie Steele emphasized the new courthouse's capacity for growth, "We were entitled to 14 judges,” Steele said. “We’re not there yet, but we can get there and that will make a big difference in the time it takes to get to court," according to a statement reported by KPTV.
Several features of the new courthouse, such as secure holding cells for defendants, address past concerns regarding the safety of victims and their families. "The old courthouse, you’d have somebody sitting in the hallway, and the perpetrator would be walking right by them into the same courtroom they’re about to go into," said Bernard in an account with KPTV. These improvements aim to provide a safer environment for those seeking justice.
