The Sun-Herald has this article about the acoustic problems in the main courtroom in the new Hancock County Courthouse in Bay St. Louis. The courthouse is near the beach and had to be completely renovated after Katrina. Here is a picture of the courtroom from behind the bench looking out towards the gallery.

I attended a hearing in the courtroom on Friday. It is the nicest looking courtroom in the State of Mississippi that I have been in. But the size of the room and hardwood floors play havoc on the sound. From the gallery it is difficult to hear the judge. Anytime someone walks around the courtroom the sound of the shoes on the floor reverberates around the room and drowns out the voices of any speakers. County Attorney Ronnie Artigues was quoted in the article:

“What we’re left with now is a courtroom that is gorgeous, but not functional,” Hancock County Attorney Ronnie Artigues said. “It’s no good if you can’t use it.”

The County Board of Supervisors approved obtaining bids for hanging acoustic tiles and installing carpet to address the problem.