The actual courthouse that inspired the television comedy operates nightly, 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., at 100 Centre Street.
New York law requires that everyone who gets arrested be promptly charged, but there’s not enough court space to do that during normal business hours. Hence, the city began operating courts at night.
Vistors, thus, only see preliminary hearings, not full trials. But they’ll still see plenty of interest — and see it for free.
“If you have the right sense of humor, this can be a funny place,” said Robert Smith, the senior court clerk, who has collected signatures from stars like Tupac Shakur and Jennifer Lopez when they were brought in. “It’s a cheap date.”
One warning: “Night Court,” the show, was a comedy. Night court, the actual event, tends toward drama. The crimes tend to be minor, but you’re still watching people throw their lives away for reasons you’ll never understand.