Jackson federal court among 60 on chopping block

While news isn't our regular feature here, here's something that's topical for this site:

Jackson federal court among 60 on chopping block

I generally avoid commentary here, but I will note that closing this Federal Courthouse, as the interviewed Magistrate indicates, is a poor idea.  The nearest Federal courthouse would be in Mammoth, in Yellowstone National Park, hardly an easy location to commute to.

Additionally, I frankly think it's a shame that many fine Federal courthouse built in Wyoming over the years are no longer used, and in at least one case, have been sold.  Courthouses existed or exist in Lander, Green River and Sheridan which are not in use (and the Sheridan one was sold).  These small, but substantial, courthouses were built in another era, when transportation was more primitive, but still, the Federal Court's presence would basically cease to extend north and west of Casper if this was done, which is to omit most of the state.  I know, of course, that the court would still draw juries statewide, at least theoretically, but the greater the distance becomes, the more theoretical that is, and the less the connection with the court becomes.

Teton County Courthouse, Jackson Wyoming

This is the Teton County Courthouse in Teton County, Wyoming. The photograph is a poor one because, on this high sunlight day, I was presented with heavy shadows in the front of the building.

The courthouse is a modern style one had houses the Teton County Circuit Court and the state 9th Judicial District Court in Teton County.

Town of Jackson, Wyoming Municipal Bulding

This is Jackson's city hall, which is where its city court is located. This photograph was taken in the early 1990s, but the building looks the same today.