Beverly Hills Courthouse | Criminal Defense Guide

About the Beverly Hills Courthouse

The Beverly Hills Courthouse is a Los Angeles Superior Court location at 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, just east of the Beverly Hills city core. It handles misdemeanor and certain felony matters arising on the Westside of Los Angeles County. The courthouse opens at 8:00 AM, with most criminal calendars beginning at 8:30 AM.

Neighborhoods served

The Beverly Hills Courthouse handles cases from:

• Beverly Hills
• West Hollywood
• Bel Air
• Brentwood
• Westwood
• Pacific Palisades
• Adjacent unincorporated Westside areas

Filing prosecutors

Misdemeanor cases at the Beverly Hills Courthouse are typically filed by either the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office or the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, depending on the location of the alleged offense and the specific statute charged. Beverly Hills itself does not have a city prosecutor handling criminal misdemeanors. The charging document identifies the filing office and the assigned deputy prosecutor.

Common case types heard here

• DUI (Vehicle Code 23152) — including BHPD checkpoints and CHP arrests on I-405, Wilshire, and Santa Monica corridors.
• Petty theft and shoplifting — Rodeo Drive, Beverly Center, Two Rodeo, and Beverly Hills department stores.
• Battery and domestic battery — restaurant, hotel, and residential incidents.
• Public intoxication — restaurant and bar-area enforcement.
• Criminal threats
• Trespass — hotel, condominium, private-property exclusions.
• Drug possession
• Reckless driving and wet reckless

What to expect at arraignment

Arraignment is the first formal court appearance. The court reads the charges, advises the defendant of maximum penalties and constitutional rights, addresses bail or release conditions, and the defendant enters a plea (almost always “not guilty” at this stage). Future court dates are scheduled. With a Penal Code section 977(a) waiver, counsel can appear on the defendant’s behalf for most subsequent court dates without the defendant being personally present.

For domestic violence cases, certain other categories, and any case where a protective order is being issued, personal appearance at arraignment may be required.

Defense considerations for Beverly Hills Courthouse cases

• PC 1538.5 motion to suppress — challenges to the basis for the stop, detention, or search. BHPD enforcement is procedurally precise but still subject to challenge.
• Pitchess motions for officer personnel records (prior complaints for dishonesty, fabrication, excessive force).
• PC 1001.95 pretrial diversion for eligible misdemeanors — frequently available for first-time petty theft and other qualifying cases.
• Negotiated reductions to disturbing the peace (PC 415), dry reckless, or other lesser charges where the evidence supports.
• Trial preparation and willingness to take cases to bench or jury trial when the offer does not reflect the evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the Beverly Hills Courthouse?

9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. The courthouse is on Burton Way between South Doheny Drive and South Maple Drive.

What time does the criminal calendar start?

Most criminal calendars begin at 8:30 AM. Defendants and counsel should arrive 15 to 30 minutes early to clear security and locate the assigned department.

Do I have to attend every court date in person?

For most misdemeanors, no — California Penal Code section 977(a) lets counsel appear on the defendant’s behalf at routine proceedings if the defendant has signed a written waiver. Critical proceedings (entering a plea, sentencing in some cases) require personal appearance. See PC 977(a) — counsel-only appearances.

Schedule a free consultation

The Law Office of Zak Fisher offers a free 20-minute consultation to anyone facing a pending criminal charge heard at the Beverly Hills Courthouse or anywhere else in Los Angeles County.