This classic building is the Wayne County Building and is an architectural gem. It once served as…read morethe county's courthouse and administrative center, though those functions have since been moved elsewhere. Construction began in in 1897 and after much scandal and even a grand jury investigation, it completed in 1902. It features 18 courtrooms and 145 rooms that hosted public hearings and many county departments. It was designed by John and Arthur Scott who managed to blend Roman Baroque Revival, Beaux-Arts, and Neoclassical styles. The top of the building features a tower (totaling 247 feet tall) and four-horse chariots that represent both Victory and Progress. Other sculptures by J. Massey Rhind represent Law, Commerce, Agriculture and Mechanics. A lot has changed in Detroit since 1902 (Progress, maybe. Victory, not so much.) and after a number of renovations and updates, the building mostly sits vacant. I would love to have toured the interior - photos show that it is magnificent with mahogany, marble and mosaics. [Review 687 of 2025 - 395 in Michigan - 24248 overall]

The Wayne County building is visible from the people mover and across the city. Architecturally it…read morelooks ornate, huge & eye catching. This building was designed by Detroit architects John & Arthur Scott Constructed from 1897 to 1902, It is one of the nation's finest surviving examples of Roman Baroque Revival architecture, with a blend of Beaux-Arts and some elements of the Neoclassical style. Unfortunately it appears closed, empty and we couldn't get inside.

I went to the City County Building to apply for my CPL license. I'd taken the course during the…read moresummer and the process left much to be desired. There seemed to be multiple people scheduled for the same time slot. Once I was called upon, the process moved along pretty quickly.

Went here yesterday to pick up a marriage license. Everyone that works here is really good with…read morewearing a mask and social distancing. The process is pretty streamlined which is nice. If your going here to pick up a marriage license make sure you bring your drivers license and birth certificates for both you and your significant other. Definitely recommend to just fill out the application online beforehand and to book on their electronic appointment set up. Even doing an 8am appointment is not a bad idea since you seem to get in and out within 30 minutes. Make sure to have cash or card for your license payment which can range from 20-30 dollars.

I was recently selected to do my duty as a citizen - jury duty. Today was my day to serve…read more Things to remember as you arrive between 0815 and 0830 - enter only through the main entrance facing Main Street. You will be subject to 100% screening immediately upon entering the building - so leave weapons, mace, and any other questionable items behind - it's empty your pockets time, folks! Knowing that they have convenient metered parking in front of the courthouse, I learned once inside the jury room that you'd better feed those meters or be subject to a $10 fine. Paid parking is available next door in the parking structure. Free parking is also available in the city lot on North River Road, with convenient free shuttle service to the courthouse provided. I indeed parked on the street, but I was able to avoid any consideration of monetary notions, as I parked on the other side of the river where there are no meters at all. OK, truth be told, I parked in front of my house the night before, and walked the whole way - 3 blocks in all, uphill, no hitch-hiking. The jury room is on the 5th floor and they have 4 elevators to accommodate lazy Americans (yes, I took the elevator). Once inside the jury room, a quick check in with the clerk. Then select a seat in the large waiting room, or you might sit at a table toward the back reserved for quiet reading, knitting, puzzles and the like. Electrical outlets are sparsely located around the room for those who need to be tethered to technology. Speaking of technology, free wifi is available in the jury room and each of the court rooms. Laptops, tablets and smartphones were all in use as I looked around the room. The room was comfortable for my stay, although the sun was shining in the windows and warmed up the area around them. Seating was adequate, the floor was carpeted. Pleasant decor all around. Books can be ordered ahead of time online and delivered via the Michigan library system. Magazines are also available for reading. Sodas and snacks are located in vending machines near the restroom facilities in the back. One of the judges of the court stepped in to make a presentation about jury duty and how it works. I won't mention any names, because I am impartial when it comes to politics, but the judge did a good job of explaining everything. On a side note: kudos to Mrs. Switalski for giving birth to a baby boy 44 years ago! So how does this all work? How did I get selected for jury duty? Contrary to suspicions of the past, potential jurors are randomly selected from a list provided by the Michigan Secretary of State, the list compiled from a mix of persons holding driver's licenses and state issued IDs. I wasn't selected to sit in on a jury today. Now before you go pointing fingers and wondering why, I will tell you that nobody was selected today. It's just the luck of the draw. The bad part - I have to wait up to 3 weeks to get paid. With mileage added in, it will come in time to help my Christmas shopping - a hefty $12.50 for the half-day of service. An informative webpage was developed to answer any questions about jury duty. It can be found at: http://www.macombcountymi.gov/clerksoffice/juryroom/index.htm#directions

Ah, jury duty. That most wonderful time when you get to take (at least) a day off from work in…read moreorder to hopefully go pass judgement on someone. In my case, I didn't get picked, so I basically sat there most of the day playing games on my phone and listening to the prior night's podcast to kill the time. As far as facilities go, decent enough. Coffee shop, cafeteria, the meters use Parkmobile (which is always a bonus in my view), and the security folks have a decent enough sense of humor when dealing with people stumbling and bumbling through the doors for whatever reason. The prep video they show you as you're sitting in the main jury room was done in the late 70s or early 80s, and, honestly, they could just ask "Have you seen at least three episodes of the original Law & Order? You have? Good, you're done then." and be done with it.

The court appointed a terminally ill attorney as GAL (2021), and then failed to closely monitor…read morework. Resulting in numerous errors in reports.

They need a negative amount of stars for reviews. Everybody working up front need to be fired and…read morethey start from scratch. The office is ghetto. The forms are outdated. The "supervisors" wouldn't know professionalism if it kicked them in the rear end. This is the first time I've ever been to a court where staff are dressed in Walmart pajamas, completely ungroomed, and talking to people like they're complete idiots because their forms are outdated and staff are incompetent. Needless to say, I've been down there 4 times for the same issue and each time I'm hearing something different from the same minion. She told me to get a lawyer to file a simple application that originally went through but once I told her she was wrong she got offended and somehow revoked it smh I hate this court! Hate!

I was the first or the next in line and you guys hung up on me. This is unacceptable. I have not…read moregot my child support in 2 to 3 months. I've done everything you asked, but now you guys won't answer my calls.

I was sent from the Old County Building to the Courthouse, where the County Clerk's office was…read morelocated. Security advised me to seek out the shorter line and state my business at the counter. I was in and out of there in under 20 minutes. A very productive visit indeed!

Cool old City Hall with a wonderfully vibrant city to support it. City hall was formally a hospital…read moreand is full of history.