Overview
🗓️ Last Updated: February 2026

Which Orange County Court Handles Your Case?

Orange County Superior Court operates five courthouse locations plus a special in-custody arraignment court inside the jail. Which court handles a case depends primarily on where the incident occurred — each courthouse serves a specific group of cities in the county.

If someone you know was recently arrested, their first court appearance (arraignment) typically happens within 48–72 hours and may take place at Department CJ1 inside the Men's Jail before the case transfers to the appropriate courthouse. After that, you can track their status through the inmate locator or check the court's online case access system.

Note on court appearances: Court dates and hearing locations can change quickly, especially right after an arrest. If someone is still in custody, arraignment is often within 48–72 hours, but timing can vary due to weekends/holidays and custody processing. For the most reliable hearing location, check the citation/booking paperwork or use the OC Courts Case Access portal. For custody location, use the OCSD inmate search. If bail may be an option, see our bail bonds guide.
Step-by-Step

How to Find a Court Date or Hearing Location

1

Find the Inmate's Current Location First

If your loved one is still in custody, confirm which facility they're housed at using the OCSD Inmate Information System. Their facility assignment can affect which court handles the arraignment.
📍 Use our Inmate Locator guide for step-by-step help
2

Check the Booking Paperwork or Citation

The arrest paperwork, bail bond documents, or citation will list the assigned court and the date of the first appearance. Look for the courthouse name and department number.
💡 Sometimes the case number prefix can hint at the courthouse (for example, “N” often indicates North). If you’re unsure, rely on the paperwork or Case Access for the official court assignment.
3

Look Up the Case Online at occourts.org

The OC Courts Case Access portal lets you search by name or case number to find scheduled hearing dates, courtroom assignments, and case status. Criminal and traffic cases are publicly searchable.
🔍 Go to occourts.org → Online Services → Case Access
4

Call the Court's Criminal Division Directly

If you can't find the information online, call the criminal and traffic line at the appropriate courthouse. For North Justice Center in Fullerton, call (657) 622-8459. Have the defendant's full name and date of birth ready.
⏰ Call Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM only
All Locations

Orange County Courthouse Directory

⭐ North Orange County
North Justice Center — Fullerton
Address 1275 N. Berkeley Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92832
General (657) 622-5600
Criminal (657) 622-8459
Hours Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cases Criminal, traffic, minor offenses
Parking Free on-site
Cities Served Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, Yorba Linda.
📞 (657) 622-5600
Family & Juvenile
Lamoreaux Justice Center — Orange
Address 341 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868
General (657) 622-6878
Family Law (657) 622-8457
Hours Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cases Juvenile, family law, domestic violence
Parking Parking varies — arrive early on busy days
Specialty Court Handles juvenile delinquency (WIC 602), dependency (WIC 300), family law, and guardianships. No cameras or recording devices permitted inside.
📞 (657) 622-6878
South Orange County
Harbor Justice Center — Newport Beach
Address 4601 Jamboree Road
Newport Beach, CA 92660
General (657) 622-5400
Hours Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cases Criminal and traffic
Cities Served Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano.
📞 (657) 622-5400
West Orange County
West Justice Center — Westminster
Address 8141 13th Street
Westminster, CA 92683
General (657) 622-5900
Hours Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cases Criminal and traffic
Cities Served Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Stanton, Westminster.
📞 (657) 622-5900
Central — Santa Ana
Central Justice Center — Santa Ana
Address 700 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701
General (657) 622-6878
Hours Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cases Criminal, unlimited civil, limited civil, traffic, small claims — the main courthouse for all case types
Note Central Justice Center is the main courthouse in Santa Ana and handles many case types (criminal, traffic, civil, and small claims). Some hearings and case types may be scheduled here countywide — confirm your department and location through Case Access.
📞 (657) 622-6878
In-Custody Arraignment

What Is Department CJ1?

Department CJ1 — Orange County Men's Jail
In-custody arraignments, misdemeanors, felonies, and probation violations
Address Building 50, 550 N. Flower St., Santa Ana, CA 92703
Phone (657) 622-6878
Hours Hearing schedule varies — confirm through Case Access or by calling (657) 622-6878
Case Types Arraignment, misdemeanors, felonies, probation violations

CJ1 is not a standalone courthouse — it's a courtroom located physically inside the jail complex. When someone is booked and held in custody, their arraignment often takes place in CJ1 rather than requiring transport to one of the main courthouses. This is where a judge formally reads the charges and the defendant enters an initial plea.

After arraignment, the case typically transfers to the appropriate courthouse based on where the incident occurred — usually North Justice Center in Fullerton, Central Justice Center in Santa Ana, or one of the other locations. If you're trying to find an inmate's current location or next court date, the inmate locator guide can help you access the OCSD system.

City Lookup

Which Court Handles Cases from My City?

Find your city below to determine which courthouse will handle the case. When in doubt, check your citation, bail paperwork, or arraignment notice — the assigned court is listed on those documents.

North Justice Center Fullerton · (657) 622-5600
Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, Yorba Linda
Harbor Justice Center Newport Beach · (657) 622-5400
Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano
West Justice Center Westminster · (657) 622-5900
Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Stanton, Westminster
Central Justice Center Santa Ana · (657) 622-6878
Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin, Villa Park — and certain civil/small claims matters countywide
Lamoreaux Justice Center Orange · (657) 622-6878
All cities — Juvenile, family law, and domestic violence cases only (not adult criminal)
Preparing for Court

What to Expect When You Arrive at the Courthouse

Orange County courthouses are full-security facilities. Knowing what to expect before you arrive saves time and avoids the frustration of being turned away at security.

Security, Dress & What to Bring

Allowed Inside

  • Valid government-issued photo ID
  • Keys (no large keychains or Swiss Army tools)
  • Small amount of cash for parking or copies
  • Prescription medication in original labeled bottle
  • Pen and notepad
  • Laptop or tablet (no photography in courtrooms)

Not Allowed Inside

  • Weapons of any kind — including pocket knives
  • Cameras or recording devices (especially at Lamoreaux)
  • Food or drinks (typically not permitted past security)
  • Revealing or offensive clothing
  • Large bags or backpacks (may be turned away)
  • Children at Lamoreaux without prior arrangement
Reading the Lobby Calendar Boards: When you arrive, look for digital display boards in the lobby showing the day's hearings by case number, defendant name, department, and time. If the case isn't showing, go directly to the criminal division clerk's window — don't wait. Morning calendars typically start at 8:30 AM, so arrive at least 30 minutes early to clear security and find your courtroom.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Orange County Courts — Common Questions Answered

Where is the North Justice Center in Fullerton?

North Justice Center is at 1275 N. Berkeley Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832. General line: (657) 622-5600. Criminal & traffic: (657) 622-8459. It is open Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM. It handles traffic, minor offenses, and criminal matters for north OC cities such as Anaheim, Brea, Buena Park, Fullerton, La Habra, La Palma, Placentia, and Yorba Linda.

What is CJ1 court and where is it?

Department CJ1 is a courtroom located inside the Orange County Men’s Jail complex at Building 50, 550 N. Flower St., Santa Ana, CA 92703. Main information line: (657) 622-6878. It is used for select in‑custody hearings (including some arraignments); after arraignment, cases may be transferred to another courthouse depending on the case.

What does Lamoreaux Justice Center in Orange handle?

Lamoreaux Justice Center is at 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868. Main line: (657) 622-6878. Family Law Operations: (657) 622-8457. It handles juvenile, family law, and domestic violence matters and also houses Family Court Services, the Self‑Help Center, and the Family Law Facilitator. Cameras and recording devices are not allowed inside.

How do I find out which court my case is at?

Check your citation, court notice, or booking paperwork first — the assigned courthouse and department are usually listed. If you don’t have that, use OC Courts Case Access, or call the Superior Court main information line at (657) 622-6878.

Can I watch a court hearing at the North Justice Center?

Most criminal hearings in Orange County are open to the public. Arrive early, go through security screening, and check the digital calendar boards in the lobby to confirm the courtroom and time. All visitors must pass through a weapons screening device — no weapons of any type are permitted.

Is parking free at the North Justice Center Fullerton?

Yes — North Justice Center generally has free on‑site parking. Parking rules can vary at other courthouse locations, so plan ahead and review your courthouse’s parking guidance before you go.
Not Sure Where Your Loved One Is Housed?
Before you go to court, confirm the inmate's current facility and custody status through the OC Sheriff's Inmate Information System.
Use the Inmate Search Guide →
Go directly to OC Courts Case Access Portal →