Superior Court of Los Angeles County Unveils Court Commons, A New Pop-Up Exhibit Designed to Demystify the Court System

WATCH: Court Commons Launch Press Event

“Court Commons reflects the Court’s longstanding commitment to making the justice system more accessible, transparent, and connected to the people we serve,” Presiding Judge Sergio C. Tapia II said. “By bringing court resources directly into the community, Court Commons gives residents the opportunity to learn about the judicial system, ask questions, and gain a firsthand view of the services the Court provides every day throughout Los Angeles County.”

About Court Commons

Court Commons was developed over a two-year period in collaboration with Half Sister Studio, a creative firm founded by Martha Almy and known for designing innovative, story-driven public experiences. The result is a modular, mobile exhibition created to inform, engage, and empower communities to learn more about the Court and the judicial system. Housed in a custom-built trailer that expands into 2,000 square feet of exhibition space, Court Commons brings the Court’s mission, services, and personnel directly to the public, promoting transparency, inspiring confidence, and expanding access to justice.

“Court Commons is the most direct, tangible example of the Court’s commitment to meet people where they are,” Executive Officer and Clerk of Court David W. Slayton said. “By bringing the Court into neighborhoods across Los Angeles County, we are removing barriers and giving residents the knowledge and confidence they need to better understand and navigate the justice system.”

Court Commons features immersive zones and interactive elements designed to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and bring to life the work of the Court. The trailer and exhibits are powered by solar energy and battery packs, ensuring sustainability while on the road. Additionally, Court Commons leverages the Court’s network to provide seamless access to court services and resources that would otherwise require a courthouse visit. These immersive zones and interactive features include:

• The Presentation Hub area serves as a flexible space for live talks, workshops, and community dialogue, allowing visitors to engage directly with Court staff and guest presenters.
• The Why Courts Matter area introduces the essential role courts play in a democratic society.
• The Navigating the Court area provides practical guidance on accessing court services, understanding legal rights, and identifying resources available to the public.
• The Inside Look at the Court area offers a behind-the-scenes view of daily court operations and highlights the responsibilities of judicial officers and courtroom staff.
• The Beyond the Headlines area provides context for high-profile cases and explains how the Court maintains fairness and neutrality in complex matters.
• The You Are Here zone presents key data and facts about the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, illustrating the scale and scope of the nation’s largest trial court.

These thematic zones are enhanced with several interactive features, including a three-dimensional courtroom model with labeled components, audio stories from judges, public defenders, and community members, and digital engagement through QR codes and Near Field Communication (NFC) prompts. NFC prompts allow visitors to access digital content by tapping an NFC tag, which can automatically launch an app, open related information, or connect to available resources.

Feedback stations enable visitors to share input that will guide future programming. Additional elements include a Spin-to-Win wheel with true-or-false questions about community outreach, self-help resources, and courtroom etiquette, as well as digital displays featuring notable individuals whose contributions have shaped the history of the judiciary.

One interactive feature, the “Wear the Robe” experience, invites visitors to try on a judicial robe and pose in front of an illustrated courtroom bench. This hands-on activity gives guests a memorable way to envision the role of a judge and learn more about judicial responsibilities.

Together, these features create an engaging, interactive educational experience that brings the Court directly to the community.

Community Engagement

Court Commons is designed to strengthen public understanding of the justice system and build meaningful connections between the Court and the communities it serves. Through storytelling, interactive learning, and transparent communication, the exhibit helps humanize the court system and encourages residents, including youth, to explore potential careers in the legal and judicial fields. By providing clear explanations of court processes, legal rights, and available resources, Court Commons supports informed decision-making and equips visitors with the knowledge to navigate the judicial system with greater confidence.

As part of its commitment to expanding access and meeting communities where they are, Court Commons will travel to multiple courthouse locations, select community sites, and Los Angeles Unified campuses beginning in late 2025 and into the future. These visits will ensure that residents across Los Angeles County, including those in historically underserved areas, can engage with the Court in an accessible and welcoming environment.

Court Commons also advances the Court’s recently released 2025–2028 Strategic Plan,  which realigns court resources to enhance accessibility to justice, build public trust, modernize operations, foster innovation, and strengthen the court user experience. The Strategic Plan emphasizes meeting the community where they are, expanding transparency, promoting civic engagement, and designing people-centered services. Court Commons exemplifies these priorities by bringing the Court directly into neighborhoods, offering clear explanations of court processes, and providing opportunities for dialogue, education, and deeper understanding. Through data-informed design, innovative public outreach, and a focus on accessibility, Court Commons reflects the Court’s commitment to being accessible to all, trusted by all, and just for all.

The largest trial court in the nation, the Superior Court of Los Angeles County serves a population of almost 10 million in 36 courthouses with a jurisdiction covering over 4,000 square miles that includes 88 cities, 140 unincorporated areas and dozens of law enforcement agencies. The Court is steadfast in its mission to serve our community by providing equal access to justice through the fair, timely, and effective resolution of all cases.