Richmond County Family Court facts for kids

The Richmond County Family Court building is a small courthouse located in the St. George area of Staten Island, one of New York City's five boroughs. Staten Island is also known as Richmond County. This building is where the Family Court for the county helps families and children.

Where is the Family Court Building?

The court building is at 100 Richmond Terrace. It looks out over New York Harbor. It's located just west of other important city buildings in the St. George civic center. These include Borough Hall, the main Richmond County Courthouse, and the local police station.

Building History and Design

This building was constructed in 1931. It was designed by the architectural firm Sibley and Featherston. The building has a neoclassical style, which means it looks like ancient Greek and Roman buildings. It has a special outer layer made of terracotta, a type of baked clay. When it first opened, it was called the Staten Island Children's Court. The same architects also built Staten Island's Civil Court and Criminal Court buildings around the same time.

What Happens Inside?

The Family Court helps families with important issues. These include making sure children are safe and helping families work through disagreements. As of 2014, Staten Island has three Family Court Judges. One of these judges works in an attached building called an annex. There is also an office for the Legal Aid Society in the basement. The Legal Aid Society helps people who cannot afford a lawyer.

Getting Around the Building

The building is designed to be accessible for everyone. If someone uses a wheelchair or needs a ramp, they can use the ramp at the back entrance.