Harris County voters in 2007 approved bonds to fund construction of a new family law center, but instead the family courts were moved to the Civil Courthouse.  Suddenly, the number of visitors to the Civil Courthouse quadrupled.  Worse, all but two of the family courts were put at the top of the building, on the 15th and 16th floors.  Now, we are all going to pay the price for this poor planning for months because of elevator problems.  Six elevators serve floors 8 - 17 and six elevators serve floor 2- 8.  All public elevators and the one freight elevator serve the basement and the first floor. The one freight elevator serves all floors.  Judges and court staff have private elevators. Recently, three of the six public elevators that serve the upper floors where most of the family courts are have been out of operation.  This week, even the freight elevator went out. Judge David Farr sent this announcement out last week: I know that there has been tremendous frustration with the ... Read More >