Santa Clarita Criminal Defense Lawyer
Santa Clarita Courthouse Building
                  Santa Clarita Courthouse
The Court serves the City of Santa Clarita2 Court Commissioners.  Division 1 of the Court hears all
traffic cases and misdemeanor 2 Court Commissioners.  Division 1 of the Court hears all traffic
cases and misdemeanor arraignments.  Division 3 hears felony preliminary hearings and in-custody
felony arraignments. For speeding tickets the first Court appearance in known as the arraignment, a
plea is entered at this time.  Should a not guilty plea be made the Court will set the case for a trial
and subpoena the policeman or CHP officer that issued the ticket and will order the defendant to
appear at a future date.   Although many attorneys claim to practice in the Court, a local Santa
Clarita Criminal Lawyer has an advantage in that he knows the Court procedures better than anyone.

There are four judicial officers assigned to the Santa Clarita Courthouse, two judges and two
commissioners.  A commissioner is a bench officer that is assigned to a specific Court and sits as
a Judge.

  • Department 1:        Judge Lloyd Nash
  • Department 2:        Commissioner Harold Vites
  • Department 3:        Judge Graciela Freixes
  • Department 4:        Commissioner Kevil Martin

The direct phone number to the Santa Clarita Court is (661) 253-7316

One of the most common questions asked regarding the Court is what to do about a bench warrant
that was issued for failure to comply with a specific order or term of probation.  This type of warrant
is issued when an individual does not show up for Court, a fine is not paid or does not complete
some class or counseling required as part of an agreed to disposition, guilty or no contest plea.

The Judges in the Santa Clarita Court permit private attorneys to appear on behalf of their clients
under the authority of Penal Code section 977 for most misdemeanor and traffic offenses.  What this
means is if you hire an attorney to represent you in Court, you may never need to personally appear.

The Courthouse also houses the Los Angeles District Attorneys office, probation department and
the offices of the public defender of Los Angeles County.

The Santa Clarita Valley is patrolled by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Santa Clarita
Valley Station.  The area has no local police department other than areas covered by the LAPD.   If
a loved one has been arrested in the area he or she will likely be taken to the Sheriff station for
booking.  An attorney can visit the person at any time and can often secure the release of the
individual either through reduced bail or a release on his or her own recognizance, this is
sometimes referred to as an "OR release".   If the arrestee is not released from this location, the will
be transported to the downtown Los Angeles Jail on Bauchet Street, this facility is called the "Mens
Central Jail".

The Court is adjacent to the Northern San Fernando Valley, however criminal cases originating from
that area are heard in the San Fernando Valley Court.

If You are Looking for a Local Criminal Defense Lawyer to represent
you, go to Court for you or recall a bench warrant call  (877) 281-5010