Glossary
Courthouse
The building that houses one or more courtrooms, the clerk's office, and other court services. Every county and most major federal districts have at least one.
Courthouses range from tiny rural buildings with a single courtroom to massive federal complexes with dozens. Inside, you'll typically find:
- Multiple courtrooms (each usually assigned to a particular judge)
- The clerk's office, where filings happen
- A self-help center in many state courthouses, with forms and procedural information for pro se litigants
- Security screening at the entrance: bring ID, expect to remove your belt and empty your pockets
- A law library in some larger courthouses
Going to court for the first time? Show up early. Parking and security can take longer than you'd expect.