Circuit Court Clerk Proposes Changes At Annex, Courthouse

Crawford County Circuit Court Clerk Karen Harlan on Wednesday presented to commissioners short-term and long-term goals regarding the annex and the courthouse.

Harlan would like to see the clerks located at the annex moved into the courthouse, along with the Jefferson courtroom and jury room.

Harlan’s document said the move would stabilize the annex, provide security and more space for jurors and reduce the chances of a mistrial.

However, commissioners are currently working on a plan with Corky Stack to stabilize the annex. Bids have been submitted and plans have been drawn up. The annex where the clerks work will have to be vacated during construction and Harlan must find a place for six of them during that time. The possibility of renting a job trailer was briefly discussed.

Commissioners said they would take a look at Harlan’s proposal.

During the short-term, Harlan wants to see:

-Partition walls removed between the current jury room and Jefferson courtroom and Jefferson courtroom and file room;

-Prosecuting attorney’s filing cabinets moved;

-Walls painted and carpet replaced in the Jefferson courtroom, jury room and file room;

-Replace two doors with service windows and counter;

-Install an electronic keypad to the current jury room door;

-10 additional electric outlets installed; and

-7 additional data drops installed.

In the long-term, Harlan hopes to consolidate the clerks at the annex and courthouse to all be located in the current jury room, which she said will provide more security, increase customer service, house all the clerks in one room and remain open during lunch.

Harlan wants the juvenile office moved to the annex. She said it is a bigger space and more secure. 

She proposed making the current juvenile area a holding cell for inmates or attorney/client conference rooms.

This would increase security, provide fewer distractions during court and give attorneys and clients a private area to meet.

Harlan suggested paying for the changes through capital improvements and the law library fund.