Los Angeles County, New Eastlake Juvenile Courthouse

Facts
In anticipation of additional cost-cutting measures, all facts are subject to change. More information

Courtrooms: 5
Square footage: 65,513
Current authorized budget: $90,312,000
Estimated construction costs per square foot are being updated
Current status: Reassessment of renovation option
Current expected completion date: 3 Q 2017

Historical Documents
Project Feasibility Report

This is one of the Superior Court's busiest juvenile facilities, receiving approximately 19,500 visitors per month, and specializing in cases involving juveniles in custody. The County Sheriff and probation staff handle more than 20 classifications of "keep-aways" (i.e., juveniles who must remain segregated from others based on the type of acts committed, gang affiliation, mental health status, etc.).

However, the facility, built in 1954 and since only lightly remodeled, contains numerous deficiencies in access, efficiency, security, overcrowding, compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and physical condition. For example, the courthouse has overcrowded courtrooms as small as 600 square feet and only two holding cells, so in-custody defendants wait on benches in crowded public hallways.

The proposed project would replace this facility with a modern, secure courthouse for juvenile delinquency proceedings. Security improvements would include an appropriately sized screening area as well as separate hallways and adequate holding facilities for in-custody defendants.

The proposed project would enable the court to provide basic services not currently possible because of space restrictions, including a public lobby, public counter queuing areas, attorney/client conference rooms, and a child waiting room. The proposed project also includes secure parking for judicial officers and 150 surface parking spaces for court staff, jurors, and court users.

A site has not been selected for the new courthouse. Once the new courthouse is completed, the court will vacate its space in the county-owned building.

Courthouse Reassessment

April 2012: Due to the current fiscal crisis, the project is being reassessed to explore renovating the current courthouse in an effort to reduce project costs. As we learn more, this project web page will be updated.