YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, Wyo. (AP) - Park officials have proposed replacing the park courthouse, citing security concerns and limited space for court proceedings at the building in Mammoth.
"It's a major problem, no matter how much crime we have," park spokeswoman Marsha Karle said. "The way it's set up, it's just not adequate."
Public comment is invited through June 3 on a proposed two-story building, which would include a courtroom and judge's chamber, interview rooms, a temporary holding facility and law enforcement offices.
The current building, officials said, provides no room for attorney-client meetings and has limited space for witnesses and family members. Its ground-level access also creates security concerns with the first-floor courtroom and chambers.
Karle said the park needs a courthouse because of the distance officials would have to travel for court appearances at other sites, such as Cody or Jackson. More than 300 court cases were heard at Mammoth last year.
Officials expect to have an environmental assessment ready for the public this winter, with construction planned for the winter of 2004-05.
