Oneida County courtrooms getting a makeover

RHINELANDER - Courtrooms in the Oneida County Courthouse will soon have a new look.

Renovations at the courthouse started a few weeks ago.

The biggest renovation was the new hearing room for family court.

The changes are part of new courtroom guidelines from the Supreme Court.

LuAnn Brunette, the Oneida County Courthouse facilities director says the renovations will benefit everyone.

"These are things that have been identified by members of the Supreme Court, as items that are necessary to keep us safe, efficient and functional hearing rooms, going in today's world," said Brunette. "We are trying to meet all of their requirements. And in order to use the room, we have to meet the requirements."

The Supreme Court guidelines also require there be more space between the judge, attorneys and witnesses.

The new hearing room will also get more cases seen that there wasn't room for the remodeling.

"The overall benefit for the taxpayers of Oneida County is that [were] trying to do these renovations as cost-effectively as we can, using as many walls and floor blueprints as we can," said Brunette. "But while still trying to keep in mind the efficiency, security and confidentiality concerns of the offices involved."

Besides the new hearing room for family court, there will be a larger waiting area for social services, client-attorney meeting rooms and chambers for visiting judges.

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Oneida County courtrooms getting a makeover