Planned Side Door to Justice at Nation’s Top Court is ‘Under Review’

As part of a $122 million renovation and security-enhancement project launched in 2003 at the U.S. Supreme Court, members of the public will someday no longer be allowed to enter as they do now: Straight up the flight of marble steps, between the massive Corinthian columns, directly below the "Equal Justice Under Law" centrally engraved under the building's pediment, and through the majestic bronze front doors.

Instead, a side entrance is planned, although the public would still be allowed to exit through the court's ceremonial entrance. But now Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has called that plan into question, with remarks he made yesterday after a panel discussion of public architecture at the National Gallery of Art, reports the Blog of Legal Times.

"The precise form of access is something under review," Breyer said when asked about the planned closing of the legendary gateway to justice, although he declined to elaborate.

Although employees and others with business at the court routinely use side entrances already, members of the public enter through the front doors for oral argument and several justices have recalled with awe their court's imposing entryway.