The courthouse was the building of the Methodist Church in Monrovia, California. Much, if not all, of the religious symbolism was digitally erased by early CGI.
In the early stages of development, the show was called "Security Fences". As the crime aspect grew to become the center focus, and Rome became less secure, producers decided that the show should be renamed "Picket Fences".
With the exception of six films made in 1992, Tom Skerritt did not appear in any movie or other project during the series run. He was fully concentrated on the leading role which earned him one Emmy award and another nomination, two Golden Globes nomination, and three nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
In the pilot episode, when Jill (Kathy Baker) is giving advice to Zach (Adam Wylie) to help him with his shy bladder, she tells him to think about other things to distract him. One thing she mentions specifically is that he should think of his favorite movie star, Arnold Schwarzenegger. One of Adam Wylie's first roles was only two years prior to this episode, in Kindergarten Cop (1990) wherein he shared screen time with Arnold Schwarzenegger.