This court in Manhattan handles more than 100,000 arrests a year, and averages about 70 to 90 cases during the 5 pm-1 am night shift.

Operating since 1967, the court has been an inspiration for the tv series Night Court and various scenes from Law & Order.

Interestingly, the court has become something of a bizarre tourist attraction, and was even listed in a Lonely Planet guide as a destination.

Notwithstanding recent arraignments of celebrities like rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs and French politician Dominique Strauss-Kahn, there is a compelling interest in the American judicial system that underpins much of the tourism. And the obvious hope to see Bull Shannon lay down the law.

Source: AP

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