Arrested or charged in Imperial County? Attorney Anton Vialtsin defends clients in El Centro in both courts that matter there: Imperial County Superior Court for state charges, and the federal court in El Centro for border cases. Call (619) 357-6677 for a free consultation. Si usted habla español, llámenos al (619) 357-6677.
Two courts in El Centro: state and federal
| Court | Typical cases |
|---|---|
| Imperial County Superior Court (state court) | DUI, drugs, domestic violence, theft, assault and other California charges from El Centro, Calexico, Brawley, Imperial, Holtville and the rest of the county |
| U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, El Centro (federal court) | Arrests at the Calexico ports of entry and by Border Patrol: drug importation, alien smuggling, illegal re-entry, false documents |
Your citation or court notice lists the exact courthouse. Imperial County Superior Court · Federal court, Southern District of California
Federal border cases in El Centro
Imperial County is a border county. Arrests at the Calexico ports of entry and by the Border Patrol in the El Centro area are usually federal cases, heard at the federal courthouse in El Centro, part of the Southern District of California.
Anton has handled more than 400 federal cases in the Southern District of California and is a member of its CJA Panel, a very strict selection that requires years of federal criminal experience. In a federal case, the first question is often release at the detention hearing, within days of the arrest. Families should call right away. See our federal criminal defense page.
Common federal charges in El Centro:
- Drug importation (21 USC 952, 960)
- Alien smuggling and transportation (8 USC 1324)
- Illegal re-entry (8 USC 1326)
- False documents and visa fraud (18 USC 1546)
State cases in Imperial County Superior Court
State charges from El Centro, Calexico, Brawley and the rest of Imperial County are heard in Imperial County Superior Court.
- Booking and release. Many people are released on a citation or on bail; for others the judge decides release at the first court date.
- Arraignment. 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 reports and video, investigates, files motions, and negotiates with the Imperial County District Attorney.
- Preliminary hearing (felonies) and trial if the case does not resolve. We prepare every case from the first meeting through trial.
In many misdemeanor cases your attorney can appear for you, so you do not have to miss work.
DUI in Imperial County
DUI arrests in Imperial County are made by CHP on I-8 and the state highways, and by city police in El Centro, Calexico and Brawley. A DUI arrest starts two separate cases:
- The criminal case in Imperial County Superior Court.
- 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 DUI page.
Why LAWSTACHE™ Law Firm
- Over 400 federal criminal cases in the Southern District of California, which includes El Centro.
- 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 Centro criminal defense lawyer
Call (619) 357-6677. Our office is in downtown San Diego, and we appear in El Centro in state and federal court.
Frequently asked questions
I was arrested at the Calexico border crossing. Which court has my case?
Usually the federal court in El Centro, part of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Call right away: the detention hearing happens within days.
Which court hears state cases from El Centro, Calexico and Brawley?
Imperial County Superior Court. Your citation or court notice lists the exact courthouse.
Do you really handle cases in El Centro from San Diego?
Yes. Anton Vialtsin handles both state cases in Imperial County Superior Court and federal cases in the El Centro federal court.
I was arrested for DUI in Imperial County. 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.
Our office
Address: 185 West F Street, Suite 100-D, San Diego, CA 92101
Phone: (619) 357-6677
Hours: Weekdays, and weekends by appointment.