Dear Rich: I want to photograph an empty courtroom but the people at the courthouse told me photographers weren't allowed unless a judge approved it. I just want to photograph the court room, not the people. It's possible that the courthouse personnel mistook your request. They may have thought you wanted permission to photograph during a business day or trial. That's a matter usually left up to the judge. Otherwise, the regulation of photography within government buildings is determined by the relevant city, county or state government (as discussed yesterday). Alas, taking photos of public buildings is sadly over-regulated in a post-9/11 world. You need to find the local public official who can grant permission -- often indicated somewhere within the local rule or permit requirement.
Today's public domain photo: by Ann Rosenera, is a 1943 image of California shipyard workers on the ferry to the Richmond Shipbuilding Company yards.