Quick Answer
The Long Beach Courthouse, at 275 Magnolia Avenue in Long Beach, handles misdemeanor cases from Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Carson, San Pedro, and surrounding South Bay neighborhoods. Cases originating in the City of Long Beach are typically filed by the Long Beach City Prosecutor; LBPD-jurisdiction state crimes may also be filed by the LA County District Attorney.
Key Takeaways
- Address: 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802.
- Serves Long Beach, Lakewood, Signal Hill, Carson, San Pedro, Wilmington, and surrounding South Bay areas.
- Long Beach has its own City Prosecutor that files many local misdemeanors.
- The Long Beach Police Department is headquartered at 400 W. Broadway.
- The Law Office of Zak Fisher appears at the Long Beach Courthouse for misdemeanor matters.
About the Long Beach Courthouse
The Long Beach Courthouse (officially the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse) is at 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802. It is one of the larger trial court facilities in Los Angeles County and handles both civil and criminal matters. Criminal calendars typically begin at 8:30 AM.
Neighborhoods served
- Long Beach (all neighborhoods)
- Lakewood
- Signal Hill
- Carson
- San Pedro
- Wilmington
- Bellflower (some)
- Paramount (some)
Filing prosecutors
The Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office files most misdemeanor cases arising in the City of Long Beach. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office files felonies countywide and certain misdemeanors involving statewide statutes. The charging document identifies the filing office.
The Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office has its own internal practices on plea offers, diversion requests, and dismissal — different in some respects from the LA City Attorney and the LA County DA. Counsel familiar with the office’s practice can navigate these differences effectively.
Common case types
- DUI (VC 23152) — LBPD and CHP enforcement on PCH, the 405, and the 710 freeway corridors.
- Petty theft — retail theft from Pike Outlets, 2nd Street, and Long Beach retail corridors.
- Simple battery — bar and entertainment district incidents.
- Public intoxication
- Criminal threats
- Drug possession
- Trespass
- Resisting, delaying, or obstructing (PC 148)
Defense considerations
- Knowing whether the Long Beach City Prosecutor or the LA County DA filed the case — this affects plea practice and diversion availability.
- Reviewing LBPD body-worn camera footage and dispatch audio.
- PC 1538.5 motion to suppress where the basis for a stop, search, or arrest is weak.
- Pitchess motions for LBPD officer personnel records.
- PC 1001.95 pretrial diversion — practice varies; counsel should know how the Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office has approached 1001.95 in similar cases.
- Mental health diversion (PC 1001.36) and military diversion (PC 1001.80) where applicable.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Long Beach Courthouse?
275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802. The courthouse is in downtown Long Beach, near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Broadway.
Does Long Beach have its own prosecutor?
Yes. The Long Beach City Prosecutor’s Office prosecutes most misdemeanors arising within Long Beach city limits. The LA County District Attorney files felonies and certain other matters.
Where is the Long Beach Police Department?
LBPD headquarters is at 400 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802 — about a block from the courthouse.
Schedule a free consultation
The Law Office of Zak Fisher offers a free 20-minute consultation to anyone facing a pending criminal charge at the Long Beach Courthouse or anywhere in Los Angeles County.