Arrested or charged in East County San Diego? If the case happened in El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Lemon Grove, Spring Valley, Lakeside or Alpine, it will be heard at the El Cajon courthouse. Attorney Anton Vialtsin defends clients there in DUI, drug, domestic violence, theft, assault and felony cases. Call (619) 357-6677 for a free consultation.
The El Cajon courthouse (East County Division)
Adult criminal cases from East County San Diego, misdemeanors and felonies, are handled by the San Diego Superior Court, East County Division:
East County Regional Center
250 E. Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020
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 El Cajon
| Where it happened | Arresting agency (usually) | Court |
|---|---|---|
| El Cajon | El Cajon Police Department | El Cajon |
| La Mesa | La Mesa Police Department | El Cajon |
| Santee, Lakeside | San Diego County Sheriff | El Cajon |
| Lemon Grove, Spring Valley | San Diego County Sheriff | El Cajon |
| Alpine and the back country | San Diego County Sheriff | El Cajon |
| Freeways (I-8, SR-52, SR-125, SR-67) | California Highway Patrol | El Cajon |
Federal cases from East County, for example cases investigated by DEA, HSI or the FBI, are not heard in El Cajon. They go to the federal courthouse in downtown San Diego. See our federal criminal defense page.
What happens after an arrest in East 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 El Cajon. 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 East County office.
- Preliminary hearing (felonies) and trial if the case does not resolve. We prepare every case from the first meeting through trial.
Having a lawyer at the arraignment matters. It is the best moment to ask for release, protect your record and start building the defense.
DUI in East County
East County DUI arrests are made by CHP on the freeways, by El Cajon and La Mesa police, and by the Sheriff in Santee, Lakeside and the unincorporated areas. A DUI arrest starts two separate cases:
- The criminal case in the El Cajon 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 El Cajon
- 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
- Probation violations and warrants
East County cities we serve
- El Cajon: El Cajon Police Department; cases are heard at the El Cajon courthouse.
- La Mesa: La Mesa Police Department; cases go to El Cajon.
- Santee and Lakeside: patrolled by the Sheriff; cases go to El Cajon.
- Lemon Grove and Spring Valley: patrolled by the Sheriff; cases go to El Cajon.
- Alpine and the back country: patrolled by the Sheriff; cases go to El Cajon.
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 an El Cajon criminal defense lawyer
Call (619) 357-6677. Our office is in downtown San Diego, about 20 minutes from the El Cajon courthouse, and we appear there for clients from all over East County.
Frequently asked questions
Which court handles criminal cases from La Mesa, Santee and Spring Valley?
The San Diego Superior Court, East County Division, at 250 E. Main Street in El Cajon. Lemon Grove, Lakeside and Alpine cases are heard there too.
Do I have to go to court in El Cajon 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 El Cajon or La Mesa. What should I do first?
Request a DMV hearing within 10 days of the arrest, and call a lawyer before your first court date in El Cajon. Call (619) 357-6677.
My case is federal. Is it heard in El Cajon?
No. Federal cases from East County are heard at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in downtown San Diego.
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 East 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.