Justice Dispensed by the Sea : Courts: A branch site on the Redondo Beach Pier helps to foster a relaxed atmosphere for those dealing with traffic tickets, small claims cases and the occasional civil trial.

Take a short walk on a short pier, and you’ll find “justice by the sea.”

That’s the nickname local court officials have given to the beach cities branch of the South Bay Municipal Court, which sits atop the Redondo Beach Pier. It’s a location court officials say is unprecedented.

“You may have courthouses near the water,” said Christopher Crawford, the court administrator responsible for bringing the courthouse to Redondo Beach. “But none with the look and feel of that particular facility. And none that are on a pier.”

The court site is a novelty that is not lost on South Bay residents summoned to its breezy corridors. In fact, the unique location confuses some residents.

“I drove in ahead of time to find the court, but I couldn’t. I had to ask a cop,” said Manhattan Beach resident Thomas Entrekin, in court to settle a dispute over an auto accident.

He added, “It gives you a little view while you’re here.”

The branch court, presided over by Judge William Willett, primarily processes traffic tickets, hears small claims cases and occasionally holds civil trials. But even though the court has been in session since April, 1989, many residents, like Entrekin, are surprised--however pleasantly--to discover its picturesque whereabouts.

“It was really bizarre when I found out the court was on the pier,” said Todd Becker of Hawthorne, in court battling his landlord for a security deposit. “I thought I’d be more comfortable here because I’m kind of a beach guy. I thought, ‘Cool, I’m going to hang at my pier.’ ”

Besides helping to relieve crowding in Torrance Municipal Court, Crawford said that fostering a more relaxed atmosphere was a primary consideration behind choosing the pier site.

“These people are not here to buy a pair of shoes,” Crawford said. “There’s a lot of tension and frustrations with court contact.”

Although they may not be quite as relaxed as the fishermen farther down the pier, most visitors can attest to the location’s moderating influence.

“I think beach people aren’t as intimidated by this courthouse. It normally can be an intimidating experience,” said Dana Korbin of Manhattan Beach. “It’s lovely here.”

Being so close to the ocean can bring its own set of special problems.

“It’s cool here by the ocean, but sometimes it stinks because of the fish market,” said Jimmy McNamara, who was in a small claims battle with his ex-girlfriend. And sometimes people can take the court’s laid-back charm a little too far. One man came to fight a traffic ticket wearing a Speedo swimsuit.

“It looked like he swam in here for a court appearance,” said bailiff Roger De Haan, who has worked in the courtroom since it opened.

Inside, the courtroom walls are adorned with artworks. There are plenty of windows, even skylights, which fill the chambers with natural sunlight.

“Having a courtroom with light coming in is a great experience,” De Haan said. “I’ve worked 18 years in courtrooms where you feel like the walls are closing in on you.”

The courthouse caught the eye of a producer who chose the site to serve as a Florida Keys courtroom for the 1991 television movie “Runaway Father.”

Luckily, the producer wasn’t looking for a jury deliberation room--the pier courtroom doesn’t have one. With less than 3% of the court’s cases coming to jury trial, officials find it to be more cost effective to rent nearby hotel rooms and restaurants. A beauty salon has even functioned as a jury room.

“It’s kind of roving jury deliberations,” Crawford said.

For all its charm, though, the courthouse does not blind visitors to what many consider it’s one injustice--a $2 parking fee.

“They should validate parking,” McNamara said.

Tell it to the judge.