Charlotte Mecklenburg Courthouse Tour

Adventure Group Tour of The Charlotte Mecklenburg Court House

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
—Martin Luther King Jr.

A beautiful, brisk, crisp, fall day in Charlotte was perfect for our tour.  We parked, rode the trolley in and checked out all the beautiful quotes outside the building.  They ranged from the Constitution to great works of art.

The cost to build the court house totaled $148 Million.

Immediately upon entering the Courthouse Atrium, you see small heads in gold and silver cascading down.  If you look closely you can see the impression of a face.  All of these pieces move and transition throughout the week starting all massed together and then forming 14 different facial impressions by Wednesday of the week and then moving back and resetting on Sunday.  Total cost was $600,000.  (It is required that a % of the cost of building the courthouse be used for artwork.)  This art is really amazing to see close-up.  I have been in the courthouse several times and never noticed the face or that they transition.  You really need to look!

The only floor that doesn’t allow tours is the basement.  There is a tunnel from the Sheriff’s Building across the street in which prisoners are brought into the court house.  Our tour guide, Charles Keller, told us that the tunnel was built before anything else.

For safety reasons, the 9th floor where the judges offices are located, is not listed on the directory.  This floor, often called ‘The Penthouse’ was beautiful and very functional.

There are a total of 31 judges.  North Carolina is one of only several states remaining that still elect their judges.  We talked about pros and cons of each.

 Chief Justice Marlin T. Phelps, Arizona supreme Court:
“Nothing was further from the minds of the Framers of the Constitution, than that the supreme Court should ever make the Supreme Law of the Land.”

Their view is amazing!

Every part of the courthouse was well thought out and planned beautifully.  I imagine most people who come into the courthouse are not looking for that beauty; either they do not want to be there or are strictly business.  It was unique to have a different perspective.

The artwork for Juvenile and Family Court was created by Charlotte Mecklenburg students ranging from Kindergarten to 12th grade and is colorfully eclectic.  No other floor has artwork like this, or carpeting.  It was done to make this floor more comfortable and appealing, as many cases tried here are abuse or custody issues involving children and families.  It is our prayer that our kids will never grace the doorstep here.

Being able to sit in the courtroom was a truly fascinating experience.  Allowing the children to see the court room from different perspectives changes the way it looks.

We learned how to tell where the prosecution is sitting in any courtroom.  The D.A. always sit nearest the jury, as they have to prove to them beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty.  Whether the jury is located on the left or right side of the courtroom, the prosecution is nearest them.

The kids volunteered to sit as the Assistant District Attorney, The defendants and his lawyers, the witness, the court clerk, the court reporter, and the jury. (Moms volunteered too.)

Abigail lucked out and got to be Judge Brown today!  Mr. Keller did an awesome job describing the duties of each position.  It really was fascinating.  We all learned a lot about how court works.

This holding cell was a little intimidating.  I imagine it is for the defendant in a trial as well.  Each courtroom has at least 2 holding cells.  This one had three.  They are positioned next to the jury box and lead into the courtroom.

The Jury area was beautiful.  Even the green walls were calming.  There were several theater areas for movies, a room for working on laptops; copying, faxing, etc…, a game room, lunch area; with refrigerator, microwave, vending machines, and fresh popcorn is made every afternoon.  As I was dismissed the last time I was called for jury duty, I didn’t realize how nice it is.

The Jury Deliberation room was small and windowless.  I imagine that helps a jury reach a decision quickly;  it would encourage me!  Jury’s can be in here for hours, days or weeks.  We briefly discussed mistrials.

This is a photo of the first Charlotte Mecklenburg Courthouse.  It almost looks like a fancy barn.  To see all the other photos of Mecklenburg courthouses through out the years, you will need to go and check it out!

Truly a great tour!  Our many thanks to our excellent tour guide, Charles Keller!

 Psalm 106:3
Blessed are they who maintain justice, who constantly do what is right.