The new Children’s Courthouse, located at 155 NW 3rd Street, is the result of more than 10 years of collaboration between Miami-Dade County and the Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, and is a shared vision to improve conditions for the children and families who appear in our courts. The County’s Internal Services Department has worked very closely with the Administrative Office of the Courts to manage the design and construction of this beautiful building and ensure it serves the needs of the community. The building is designed to achieve a LEED silver certification that will incorporate many important green initiatives and allow for efficient building maintenance for many years to come.

The new courthouse will replace the aging and undersized Juvenile Justice Center currently located at NW 27 Avenue and 33rd Street. Among its many distinguishing features, the new Children’s Courthouse will be one of the few facilities in the nation to house all court partners as well as support agencies for the Juvenile Justice Community.

The new courthouse features four significant works of public art commissioned through Miami-Dade County’s Art in Public Places program. Among them are four large-scale murals, a hand-made tile installation adorned with portraits done by Miami-Dade public school students, and in the lobby and throughout the courthouse, Tom Otterness’ Familia de Osos/Family of Bears, a whimsical installation of bears and humans participating in a court session and peeking through windows and around columns. All of the artwork is inspired by the children who will walk through the doors of the New Children’s Courthouse, and is designed to create a comforting and supportive environment for them.

The facility comprises 375,000 square feet, including space for 18 courtrooms and judges’ chambers, court administration, the Clerk of Courts, State Attorney’s and Public Defender’s Offices, and support agencies such as the Guardian Ad Litem Program, Miami-Dade Corrections Department, and Miami-Dade Police Court Liaison personnel.

Members of the media are welcome to attend and participate in the courtroom tours. Photo opportunities and interviews can be arranged upon request.  Media parking will be available on NW 4th Street, at the rear of the Children’s Courthouse and security personnel will be on hand to assist.

Public Parking will be available at the West Lot Parking Garage, 220 NW 3rd Street, Miami, FL 33128.