Sacramento Superior Court preparing to move operations into new downtown skyscraper

The Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Superior Courthouse, a $514 million project, is set fully take court operations by the end of April.

SACRAMENTO, Calif — Preparations are underway for Sacramento‘s newest skyscraper to open. 

The Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento Superior Courthouse is set to fully transition into court operations by the end of April, the court announced in a news release. 

The 18-story, 530,000-square-foot courthouse is located at 500 G Street in the Railyards. It will replace all court operations currently housed in the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse and Hall of Justice Building, both in downtown Sacramento. 

The new courthouse, expected to be fully operational by April 27, cost approximately $514 million. It will have a single public entrance with four security screening stations and eight public elevators.

“The opening of this building is an exciting milestone for our court and our community,” Court Executive Officer Kelly Sullivan said in a release. “As a prominent part of the Sacramento Railyards revitalization, this facility strengthens access to justice while serving as a welcoming and modern civic landmark.”

The court will open and transition operations in phases over five consecutive weekends over the next two months.

“This new facility not only enhances the court’s ability to serve the public more efficiently, but also strengthens meaningful access to justice,” Presiding Judge Lawrence G. Brown said in a release. “By bringing services in a modern, accessible, and secure environment, we are better positioned to meet the needs of all who rely on our justice system.” 

According to the court, the move will take place as follows:

March 28-30: Initial relocation of select administrative offices and court functionsApril 4-6: Continued transfer of courtrooms and support staffApril 11-13: Completion of civil operations moveApril 18-20: Transfer of trial criminal courts, jury services and the children’s waiting roomApril 25-27: Final transition of remaining criminal operations

Civil-related services are expected to open to the public on April 13.

Public amenities inside the courthouse include 53 restrooms, civil self-help services, a jury assembly room that can hold up to 500 prospective jurors, food services and a children’s waiting room on the first floor. The building will also include a civil settlement conference center and centralized criminal and civil public counters.

Courtroom features include remote hearing technology with videoconferencing, upgraded digital evidence displays capable of handling large files such as body camera and surveillance video, and multiple camera views positioned to protect juror privacy.

“This new facility not only enhances the court’s ability to serve the public more efficiently, but also strengthens meaningful access to justice,” Presiding Judge Lawrence G. Brown said in a release. “By bringing services in a modern, accessible, and secure environment, we are better positioned to meet the needs of all who rely on our justice system.” 

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