Hamilton County Domestic Relations Judge Amy Searcy uses nature landscapes in her courtroom to relieve stress and tension.

Hamilton County Domestic Relations Judge Amy Searcy uses nature landscapes in her courtroom to relieve stress and tension.

Walking into a courtroom for the first time can be a scary experience. But Hamilton County Domestic Relations Judge Amy Searcy is trying to change that by transforming the nature of the space.

She’s given her courtroom a facelift. Natural sunlight now streams through the windows. The walls are covered with large canvasses of serene park landscapes. The attorneys’ trial tables have been replaced with one oversized conference room table and comfortable chairs.

She doesn’t stop there. She has the motto of the court, “In the best interest of the CHILD” written on the wall, facing parents who appear before the judge.

“Beginning from the time I took the bench four years ago, I have dreamed of creating a less-stressful and anger-filled courtroom,” Judge Searcy said.

“For years, I observed parents walk into my courtroom and look at their surroundings as if they are entering a battlefield. My job is to help them and their attorneys navigate the legal process as easily and painlessly as possible,” she said.

This wasn’t an overnight project. Judge Searcy spent one year researching the impact of interior design in the courtroom environment. She went so far as researching neuroscience and conflict resolution and discovered that environment impacts a person’s ability to think clearly and calmly.

“There is so much conflict between litigants, counsel, and witnesses in the domestic relations courtroom,” Judge Searcy said. “Sometimes the tension is nearly palpable. How can that tension be relieved? I learned that nature is an effective answer.”

Judge Searcy removed the heavy curtains and allowed natural sunlight to stream through the large courtroom windows. She then replaced the existing pictures with large photographs of nature scenes to reduce “brain fatigue.”

Has it worked in reducing courtroom stress?

“The response has already exceeded my expectations,” Judge Searcy said. “Litigants are noticeably happy when they look around the room at the pictures. The families involved have been markedly more relaxed and cooperative in court since we have made these changes.”

“My goal is to convey a message of ‘Welcome. This is a place where we will help your family heal from the pains of divorce.’ We care for the well-being of your children, and your family matters to us,” she said.