The number of courtroom killings in the United States has increased over the years, and the criminal justice system appears to be insensitive to the human condition. It is clearly difficult to understand all issues involved in violent reactions in the courtroom, and many factors affect an individual's ability to resolve disputes. Violence inside and outside the courtroom may be passive-aggressive or active-aggressive, and violent behavior may be verbal or nonverbal. Perhaps the answer to violence lies in becoming aware of the factors involved in violence and dealing with them by sensitive action before problems occur. The occurrence of violence in the courtroom is not a simple problem, and solutions will not be simplistic. Nonetheless, solutions should be devised that resolve interpersonal disputes before they reach crisis proportions and that help people learn to cope with life events. In addition, violence prediction factors should be studied and applied to evaluate the psychology of courtroom violence. Information is provided on crisis management and mediation and on courtroom risk analysis. 47 references and 6 figures