New Sacramento Superior Courthouse soon to open to the public

Within view of the six-story superior court site that served Sacramento County for 60 years, is an all new courthouse building. The Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento Superior Courthouse is set to be fully up and running by the end of the month.The new courthouse will replace all court operations currently housed in the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse and the Hall of Justice.“We first started talking about the need for a new courthouse in 2010,” said the court’s executive officer Kelly Sullivan. “Things started to get real for us here in Sacramento in about 2014, 2015.”Now, after all the discussion, planning, delays and an estimated $514 million project price tag, the vision for the facility is realized.“We could not be more excited to open the doors of this big beautiful courthouse to the public,” Sullivan said.From the top down, the site’s 53 courtrooms will hold civil and criminal proceedings. Myriad high-tech features allow for video conferencing, enhanced digital evidence presentation, and multi-view courtroom camera systems that protect juror and witness privacy.The facility is named in honor of former California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.“She actually was a judge on our court and it’s a special meaning for us because she got her judge start here in Sacramento,” said Sullivan.The courthouse features a single public entrance with four security screening stations.Eight elevators run to the building’s 17 public-facing floors and electronic court dockets and clear signage direct people how to get where they need to be.“This is a completely different footprint than they’re used to interacting with,” Sullivan said.The court staff said it is most excited to welcome people who get called for jury service.In contrast to the old courthouse site, there’s an assembly room deemed “a major upgrade in the juror experience.”“Currently over at our old courthouse, we have a jury assembly room that is small, sectioned off, and we often have to spill out into the hallways and into the mezzanine around the corner to be able to handle 400-500 jurors that we see often,” explained Sullivan. “This room by itself holds 500 people.”There are also more ways for jurors to check in now, be it by kiosk, QR code, or at a counter – interfacing with a court staff member.There are places to sit, stand, charge devices, or stare out the windows until your group number is called.“There’s a whole group of people who are compelled to come here every day. Those are our jurors,” Sullivan said. “That’s why this space is as big and welcoming as it is.”The court started relocating various departments and services from the old court building to the new one at the end of March. The new courthouse is expected to be fully operational by April 27.For information about about the court, visit saccourt.ca.gov.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Within view of the six-story superior court site that served Sacramento County for 60 years, is an all new courthouse building. The Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye Sacramento Superior Courthouse is set to be fully up and running by the end of the month.

The new courthouse will replace all court operations currently housed in the Gordon D. Schaber Courthouse and the Hall of Justice.

“We first started talking about the need for a new courthouse in 2010,” said the court’s executive officer Kelly Sullivan. “Things started to get real for us here in Sacramento in about 2014, 2015.”

Now, after all the discussion, planning, delays and an estimated $514 million project price tag, the vision for the facility is realized.

“We could not be more excited to open the doors of this big beautiful courthouse to the public,” Sullivan said.

From the top down, the site’s 53 courtrooms will hold civil and criminal proceedings. Myriad high-tech features allow for video conferencing, enhanced digital evidence presentation, and multi-view courtroom camera systems that protect juror and witness privacy.

The facility is named in honor of former California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye.

“She actually was a judge on our court and it’s a special meaning for us because she got her judge start here in Sacramento,” said Sullivan.

The courthouse features a single public entrance with four security screening stations.

Eight elevators run to the building’s 17 public-facing floors and electronic court dockets and clear signage direct people how to get where they need to be.

“This is a completely different footprint than they’re used to interacting with,” Sullivan said.

The court staff said it is most excited to welcome people who get called for jury service.

In contrast to the old courthouse site, there’s an assembly room deemed “a major upgrade in the juror experience.”

“Currently over at our old courthouse, we have a jury assembly room that is small, sectioned off, and we often have to spill out into the hallways and into the mezzanine around the corner to be able to handle 400-500 jurors that we see often,” explained Sullivan. “This room by itself holds 500 people.”

There are also more ways for jurors to check in now, be it by kiosk, QR code, or at a counter – interfacing with a court staff member.

There are places to sit, stand, charge devices, or stare out the windows until your group number is called.

“There’s a whole group of people who are compelled to come here every day. Those are our jurors,” Sullivan said. “That’s why this space is as big and welcoming as it is.”

The court started relocating various departments and services from the old court building to the new one at the end of March. The new courthouse is expected to be fully operational by April 27.

For information about about the court, visit saccourt.ca.gov.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel