Santa Clarita criminal court guide

Before the hearing

Arrive early

Plan to be inside the building 30 to 45 minutes before the calendar starts. Parking, the security line, and finding the department all take longer than you expect. If your case is called and you're not there, the judge can issue a bench warrant.

What to bring

Government photo ID, your citation or bail paperwork, any letters the court mailed you, proof of anything you've already done (enrollment in classes, treatment, community service), and a pen. Leave weapons, pocket knives, and anything that looks like one at home; you will not get through security with them. Bring your phone but keep it silent and put away.

How to dress and act

Dress as you would for a job interview. In the courtroom, stand when the judge enters, speak only when asked, and address the judge as "Your Honor." Never argue with the prosecutor or the officer; your attorney will respond. Judges decide credibility in minutes, and composure is most of it.

Who is in the courtroom

The judge; the deputy district attorney (or city attorney for some misdemeanors); the clerk and bailiff; your attorney; and, on busy calendars, dozens of other defendants waiting their turn. Victims and their advocates may be present for some hearings. Everything said in open court is on the record.

What a typical court day looks like

The clerk calls the calendar; attorneys check in and tell the court whether the matter is resolving, needs a continuance, or is set for a hearing. In-custody cases and matters with private counsel are often heard first. Most arraignments and pretrial conferences take five to fifteen minutes at the bench; contested motions and preliminary hearings are set for a specific time and can take an hour or more. For most misdemeanors your attorney can appear for you under Penal Code § 977 so you don't miss work.

Bail, release, and the DMV

If you're in custody, bail or release is decided at arraignment; bring a family member who can speak to your job and living situation. If your case is a DUI, remember the DMV runs a separate license hearing that must be requested within 10 days of the arrest, regardless of what happens in court. We handle both.

Serving Santa Clarita and all of Los Angeles County

Our main office is in Arcadia, and we appear in Los Angeles County criminal courts for clients throughout the county, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Glendale, Pasadena, Torrance, Pomona, Palmdale, Lancaster, Downey, Inglewood, West Covina, Norwalk, and the surrounding communities.