Arrested or charged in South County San Diego? If the case happened in Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach or Bonita, it will usually be heard at the Chula Vista courthouse. Attorney Anton Vialtsin defends clients there in DUI, drug, domestic violence, theft, assault and felony cases, and in federal court for arrests at the border. Call (619) 357-6677 for a free consultation.
The Chula Vista courthouse (South County Division)
Adult criminal cases from South County San Diego, misdemeanors and felonies, are handled by the San Diego Superior Court, South County Division:
South County Regional Center
500 3rd Avenue, Chula Vista, CA 91910
Court information and hours
Plan ahead for court day. Arrive early: there is a security screening line at the entrance, and the morning calendars are busy. In many misdemeanor cases your attorney can appear for you, so you do not have to miss work.
Which cases go to Chula Vista
| Where it happened | Arresting agency (usually) | Court |
|---|---|---|
| Chula Vista | Chula Vista Police Department | Chula Vista |
| National City | National City Police Department | Chula Vista |
| Imperial Beach, Bonita | San Diego County Sheriff | Chula Vista |
| Freeways (I-5, I-805, SR-54, SR-125) | California Highway Patrol | Chula Vista |
| San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry | CBP / HSI | Federal court, downtown San Diego |
Arrested at the border? It is usually a federal case
Arrests at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa ports of entry, and by Border Patrol, are usually federal cases: drug importation, alien smuggling, illegal re-entry or false documents. They are not heard in Chula Vista. They go to the U.S. District Court in downtown San Diego, where the first question is often release at a detention hearing.
Anton has handled more than 400 federal cases in the Southern District of California, many of them border cases. See our federal criminal defense page.
What happens after an arrest in South County
- Booking and release. After booking at a Sheriff’s detention facility, many people are released on a citation or on bail. For others the judge decides release at the first court date.
- Arraignment in Chula Vista. The charges are read and you enter a plea. If you are in custody, this usually happens within two court days. This is the first chance to argue for release or lower bail.
- Pretrial. Your attorney gets the police reports and video, investigates, files motions, and negotiates with the District Attorney’s South County office.
- Preliminary hearing (felonies) and trial if the case does not resolve. We prepare every case from the first meeting through trial.
DUI in South County
South County DUI arrests are made by CHP on the freeways and by Chula Vista and National City police in the cities. A DUI arrest starts two separate cases:
- The criminal case in the Chula Vista courthouse.
- The DMV case. You have only 10 days after the arrest to request a DMV hearing, or your license is suspended automatically.
When the evidence has problems, such as a blood alcohol level near 0.08%, an unlawful stop, or issues with the breath or blood test, a DUI can often be reduced to reckless driving or dismissed. See our San Diego DUI page.
Criminal charges we defend in Chula Vista
- DUI and drug DUI, including felony DUI
- Drug crimes: possession, possession for sale, transportation
- Domestic violence and restraining orders
- Theft, shoplifting and burglary
- Assault, battery and other violent crimes
- Gun and weapons charges
- Reckless driving and hit-and-run
- Federal border cases: drug importation, alien smuggling, illegal re-entry
South County cities we serve
- Chula Vista: Chula Vista Police Department; cases are heard at the Chula Vista courthouse.
- National City: National City Police Department; cases go to Chula Vista.
- Imperial Beach and Bonita: patrolled by the Sheriff; cases go to Chula Vista.
- San Ysidro and Otay Mesa: arrests at the ports of entry are usually federal and go to court downtown.
Why LAWSTACHE™ Law Firm
- Over 400 federal criminal cases and many years of California state court defense.
- CJA Panel attorney in the Southern and Central Districts of California, a very strict selection that requires years of federal criminal experience.
- You work directly with Anton, from the first meeting through trial, not a case manager.
- Free consultation, weekdays and weekends by appointment. Payment plans available.
- We speak English, Russian and Spanish.
See our results and Google reviews.
Call a Chula Vista criminal defense lawyer
Call (619) 357-6677. Si usted habla español, llámenos al (619) 357-6677. Our office is in downtown San Diego, and we appear in the Chula Vista courthouse and in federal court for clients from all over South County.
Frequently asked questions
Which court handles criminal cases from Chula Vista and National City?
The San Diego Superior Court, South County Division, at 500 3rd Avenue in Chula Vista. Imperial Beach and Bonita cases are heard there too.
I was arrested at the San Ysidro or Otay Mesa border crossing. Where is my case?
Usually in federal court, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in downtown San Diego. Call right away: the detention hearing happens within days.
Do I have to go to court in Chula Vista myself?
In many misdemeanor cases your attorney can appear for you. In felony cases you must usually be present, and your attorney will tell you which dates you have to attend.
I was arrested for DUI in Chula Vista. What should I do first?
Request a DMV hearing within 10 days of the arrest, and call a lawyer before your first court date. Call (619) 357-6677.
How much does a criminal defense attorney cost?
The consultation is free. We offer payment plans. Call us to discuss your case and fees.
Serving South County from our San Diego office
Address: 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 357-6677
Hours: Weekdays, and weekends by appointment.