Groundbreaking held for new Jasper County Courts building

Groundbreaking was held Friday morning for the new Jasper County Court building at 7th and Pearl in Joplin.

The new building is expected to alleviate the overcrowding and outdated design of the previous courthouse in Joplin.

In recent months, court trials have been taking place in the building that previously housed the Joplin Public Library at 4th and Main Streets in Joplin because the old courthouse did not allow sufficient space for social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The previous courts building opened in 1975.