Located on the restored sixth floor of the 1929 Maricopa County Courthouse, the Justice Museum is the only known museum in the nation housed within an active courthouse. Since its opening in 2012, the museum has offered an immersive experience of Arizona’s legal system—featuring landmark cases, individual rights, and the enduring principles of the rule of law.
Jennifer Cranston, a G&K shareholder and vice president of the Maricopa County Justice Museum & Learning Center Foundation, plays a key role in preserving and sharing that legacy. A passionate advocate for civic education and public engagement, Jennifer helps lead the museum’s mission to showcase Arizona’s most significant legal milestones.
That work is especially evident in the museum’s newest exhibit, Breaking Ground: Women in the Law—a powerful tribute to the pioneering women of Arizona’s legal community, including the trailblazing U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Among Jennifer’s favorite features in the exhibit is a replica of the telephone Justice O’Connor used to receive the historic call from President Reagan appointing her to the Supreme Court. The display also features one of O’Connor’s actual robes, providing visitors with a tangible connection to her remarkable legacy.
Beyond the exhibit, Jennifer highlights Arizona’s role as a legal innovator: the first state to allow jurors to take notes during trials and, in some cases, to begin deliberations before all evidence has been presented—both practices still rare nationwide. She also points to Arizona’s merit selection system for appointing Superior Court judges in certain counties, which emphasizes professional qualifications over political affiliation. Together, these elements reflect the state’s ongoing commitment to a fairer, more transparent justice system.
Justice Museum board member Gordy Griller adds another layer to the museum experience, offering insight into prisoner life in the early 1900s. He describes the conditions inside the original jail—including open windows where prisoners could talk to their families on the street—and draws attention to intricate, inmate-etched artwork that still adorns the walls. Visitors can explore this restored cellblock and walk through the same space where Ernesto Miranda—of Miranda rights fame—was once held.
With its unique setting, rich historical exhibits, and commitment to education, the Maricopa County Justice Museum remains a one-of-a-kind destination—and a not-so-hidden gem in the heart of downtown Phoenix.
Watch below.
Rediscover Arizona: Take a tour of the Maricopa County Justice Museum
Get locked up in this Rediscover Arizona experience.
By Krystal Long | Rediscover Arizona | 12 News KPNX-TV Phoenix
Rediscover Arizona is sending you to the slammer! Well, sort of.
Turns out, there's a local jail museum where you can walk through old cells, learn about infamous inmates and pretend you're living an orange-jumpsuit life -- all without committing a crime.
The Maricopa County Justice Museum and Learning Center is located on the 6th floor of the Maricopa County Historic Courthouse. That floor was an actual cellblock starting in 1929. Now, it's the only museum of its kind in an active courthouse in the country!
You'll discover original prisoner artwork, jail uniforms, bunk beds and exhibits featuring Arizona's legal history, including Miranda v. Arizona.
The newest exhibit is "Breaking Ground: The Remarkable Journeys of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Arizona Women in Law."
It honors more than 30 women lawyers and judges who marked many "firsts" in the Arizona legal community. ...
Click here to watch the Rediscover Arizona segment and read the full story on 12 News KPNX-TV Phoenix.
about our attorney
Jennifer Cranston is a shareholder and member of the Board of Directors at Gallagher & Kennedy in Phoenix, where she represents land developers and private property owners in condemnation and valuation disputes. She also assists condemning entities in acquiring property rights, which provides her with a unique perspective on eminent domain issues. Jennifer’s trial experience has resulted in two of the largest condemnation verdicts in Arizona's history.
She is the co-host and organizer of the semi-annual Condemnation Summit, which attracts more than 100 eminent domain practitioners throughout Arizona.