Project Overview

The Jackson County Justice Court Building, a 5,200-square-foot facility located in Central Point, Oregon, was developed to provide accessible judicial services to the community. This courthouse handles various cases, including traffic violations, small claims, and landlord-tenant disputes, serving as a critical component of the county's judicial system.

Role & Responsibilities

Power Distribution & Panel Design – Engineered complete electrical distribution to support courtroom operations, administrative areas, and building-wide systems.
Lighting Systems – Designed layered lighting for judicial settings, including dimmable zones, accent lighting for judge’s benches, and glare-free fixtures for reading and transcription.
Courtroom Technology Integration – Provided infrastructure for AV systems, recording equipment, displays, and digital case management tools, including clean power and conduit routing.
Security & Access Control – Coordinated electrical provisions for access control, duress alarms, camera systems, and secure areas including judge chambers and holding zones.
Utility & Service Coordination – Worked with utility providers to route new power service, coordinate meter placements, and future-proof the design for additional demand.

Key Challenges & Solutions

🔹 Designing for Security, Functionality & Public Access – Court facilities must balance security needs with public usability.
✔ Solution: Collaborated with county staff and the design team to provide separate circulation paths for staff and visitors, planned access-controlled zones, and located service rooms for easy future maintenance.

🔹 Technology-Rich Environments with Zero Downtime Tolerance – Modern courtroom proceedings depend on uninterrupted access to power and data systems.
✔ Solution: Isolated courtroom systems on dedicated panels, planned surge protection, and included UPS provisions to ensure continuity during utility fluctuations.

🔹 Compact Site Constraints with Full-Scale Systems – Fitting robust civic-grade systems into a modest footprint without compromising usability.
✔ Solution: Designed tight, efficient layouts with consolidated panel locations, riser planning, and flexible conduit routing that allowed for clean ceiling spaces and future expansion.

Outcome & Impact

✅ Delivered a modern, reliable, and fully code-compliant courthouse supporting all judicial functions under one roof.
✅ Integrated courtroom technology, security, and accessibility systems seamlessly to improve staff workflows and public experience.
✅ Provided flexible, utility-aligned electrical infrastructure that ensures the building can scale with evolving civic needs.

Let’s Talk About Your Project

Building for civic service? We specialize in electrical systems that enable secure, technology-forward facilities that communities can count on. Let's talk about how NLS Engineering can support your next public-sector project.

Jackson County Justice Court Building
(Central Point, OR)