Arrested or charged in Orange County? Attorney Anton Vialtsin defends clients in Orange County Superior Court in DUI, drug, domestic violence, theft, assault and felony cases, from Santa Ana and Anaheim to Irvine, Huntington Beach and Mission Viejo, and in federal court in Santa Ana. Call (619) 357-6677 for a free consultation.
Orange County criminal courts
Orange County Superior Court hears criminal cases at several justice centers. Misdemeanors are usually heard at the justice center for the city where the arrest happened. Many felony cases are handled at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
| Justice center | Address | Cities (examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Central Justice Center | 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701 | Santa Ana, Orange, Tustin; many felonies countywide |
| North Justice Center | 1275 N. Berkeley Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832 | Anaheim, Fullerton, Buena Park, Placentia, Brea |
| West Justice Center | 8141 13th Street, Westminster, CA 92683 | Huntington Beach, Garden Grove, Westminster, Fountain Valley |
| Harbor Justice Center | 4601 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach, CA 92660 | Newport Beach, Irvine, Costa Mesa, Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo and South County |
Your court date notice or citation lists the exact courthouse and department. Court information and hours
Federal cases from Orange County, for example cases investigated by the FBI, DEA or HSI, are heard at the federal courthouse in Santa Ana (Central District of California). See our Los Angeles & Orange County federal defense page.
What happens after an arrest in Orange County
- Booking and release. People arrested in Orange County are usually booked at the Sheriff’s Intake Release Center in Santa Ana or at a city jail. Many 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 police reports and video, investigates, files motions, and negotiates with the Orange 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 or drive to court.
DUI in Orange County
Orange County DUI arrests are made by CHP on the freeways and by city police departments, such as Anaheim, Santa Ana, Irvine, Huntington Beach, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach. A DUI arrest starts two separate cases:
- The criminal case at the justice center for the city where you were arrested.
- 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.
Criminal charges we defend in Orange County
- 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 charges in Santa Ana federal court
Orange County cities we serve
- Santa Ana, Orange and Tustin: Central Justice Center in Santa Ana.
- Anaheim and Fullerton: North Justice Center in Fullerton.
- Huntington Beach and Garden Grove: West Justice Center in Westminster.
- Irvine, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach: Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
- Mission Viejo and South County: Harbor Justice Center in Newport Beach.
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. The Central District includes Orange County.
- 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 Orange County criminal defense lawyer
Call (619) 357-6677. Our office is in downtown San Diego, and we appear in Orange County courts for our clients.
Frequently asked questions
Which court will hear my Orange County case?
Misdemeanors are usually heard at the justice center for the city where the arrest happened: Central (Santa Ana), North (Fullerton), West (Westminster) or Harbor (Newport Beach). Many felonies are handled at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. Your citation or court notice lists the exact courthouse.
Do you handle cases in Orange County even though your office is in San Diego?
Yes. Anton Vialtsin handles state cases in Orange County Superior Court and federal cases in the Central District of California, which includes the federal courthouse in Santa Ana.
Do I have to go to court 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 Anaheim or Irvine. 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.