The Los Angeles Superior Court is the largest unified trial court in the United States, with more than 38 courthouses spread across Los Angeles County. Criminal cases are filed in the courthouse covering the arrest location, with separate courthouses for misdemeanors and felonies in some districts. This is a reference page covering the courthouses that hear the most criminal misdemeanor and felony filings in LA County, with addresses, areas served, and what each handles. The Law Office of Zak Fisher represents people in criminal cases at courthouses across Los Angeles County.
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How criminal cases are routed in Los Angeles County
Criminal cases in LA County are filed in the courthouse covering the location of the alleged offense, not the defendant residence. The LA Superior Court is organized into geographic districts. Within each district, misdemeanors and felonies may be heard at the same courthouse or split between courthouses. The four main filing variables are:
- Location: Where the alleged offense occurred.
- Level of charge: Misdemeanor vs. felony.
- Filing agency: Los Angeles County District Attorney (most felonies and some misdemeanors) or the city prosecutor (Los Angeles City Attorney, Long Beach City Prosecutor, etc.) for most misdemeanors within incorporated cities.
- Specialized calendar: DUI courts, drug courts, mental health courts, and veterans courts handle certain case types regardless of geographic district.
Central District courthouses
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
- Address: 210 W Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Handles: Felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, motions, and trials for central LA.
- More info: Foltz CCB courthouse guide
Metropolitan Courthouse
- Address: 1945 S Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Handles: Misdemeanor filings for central LA, including LAPD Central, Rampart, Hollywood, Olympic, and similar divisions.
Southwest District
Airport Courthouse
- Address: 11701 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from LAX, Westchester, Inglewood, Culver City, El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lennox, and parts of West LA.
- More info: Airport Courthouse guide
Inglewood Courthouse
- Address: One Regent Street, Inglewood, CA 90301
- Handles: Civil and family matters; some criminal calendar overflow from Airport Courthouse.
Northwest District (San Fernando Valley)
Van Nuys Courthouse
- Address: 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from most of the San Fernando Valley.
- More info: Van Nuys Courthouse guide
San Fernando Courthouse
- Address: 900 Third Street, San Fernando, CA 91340
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from the northern San Fernando Valley, Sylmar, Mission Hills, Pacoima, and the Foothill area.
Northeast District
Pasadena Courthouse
- Address: 300 E Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from Pasadena, South Pasadena, Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, and surrounding foothill communities.
Alhambra Courthouse
- Address: 150 W Commonwealth Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91801
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from the San Gabriel Valley, Alhambra, Monterey Park, San Gabriel, Rosemead, and similar areas.
West District
Beverly Hills Courthouse
- Address: 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
- Handles: Misdemeanor cases from Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and adjacent areas.
Santa Monica Courthouse
- Address: 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades, Venice, Brentwood, and West LA.
South District
Long Beach Courthouse
- Address: 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from Long Beach, Signal Hill, and the South Bay.
Compton Courthouse
- Address: 200 W Compton Boulevard, Compton, CA 90220
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from Compton, South Los Angeles, Carson, Watts, and surrounding South County communities.
Torrance Courthouse
- Address: 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503
- Handles: Misdemeanor and felony cases from Torrance, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, San Pedro, and the South Bay.
Other county courthouses with criminal calendars
- Pomona Courthouse: 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766 (East San Gabriel Valley)
- Whittier Courthouse: 7339 Painter Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602
- Norwalk Courthouse: 12720 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, CA 90650
- Antelope Valley Courthouse: 42011 4th Street West, Lancaster, CA 93534
- Burbank Courthouse: 300 E Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502
- Glendale Courthouse: 600 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206
How the Law Office of Zak Fisher handles courthouse logistics
The practice personally appears at every court date in cases it takes, traveling to whichever courthouse the case is assigned. The first step in every engagement is identifying the correct courthouse, the assigned department, and any specialized calendar (DUI court, mental health diversion calendar, veterans court). Under Penal Code §977, counsel can appear for a represented misdemeanor defendant at most court dates without the client personally attending, which avoids missed work and travel. The free 20-minute consultation includes confirmation of the courthouse and case assignment.
Contact
Law Office of Zak Fisher
8335 W. Sunset Blvd., Suite 354
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Phone: (310) 818-7461
Email: info@zakfisherlaw.com
Hours: Monday through Thursday 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Book a free 20-minute consultation
Frequently asked questions about LA County criminal courthouses
How do I know which courthouse my case is in?
The courthouse is listed on the citation, complaint, or court paperwork given at the time of arrest or release. Cases are also searchable on the Los Angeles Superior Court online case access system using the case number or defendant name.
Can my case be moved to a different courthouse?
Sometimes. A motion to transfer venue under Penal Code §1033 or for change of venue based on local prejudice can move a case, but transfers in routine criminal cases are uncommon. Specialized-calendar requests (mental health diversion, veterans court) may also affect the courthouse.
Are there separate courthouses for misdemeanors and felonies?
In some districts, yes. Central LA splits filings between Foltz CCB (felonies) and Metropolitan Courthouse (misdemeanors). Most other districts hear both at a single courthouse.
Who prosecutes criminal cases in Los Angeles?
Felonies and serious misdemeanors are prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney. Most misdemeanors within incorporated cities are prosecuted by the city prosecutor (Los Angeles City Attorney for LA City misdemeanors, Long Beach City Prosecutor for Long Beach, etc.). Unincorporated areas and certain misdemeanors are prosecuted by the District Attorney.
What time do criminal calendars start?
Most misdemeanor and felony calendars begin at 8:30 AM. DUI calendars and specialized calendars may start at different times. Arrive at least 30 minutes early to clear security and find the courtroom.
Can I attend a court hearing as a spectator?
Yes. Criminal proceedings are open to the public except in limited circumstances (juvenile court, sealed proceedings, certain in-chambers conferences). Visitors must clear courthouse security and follow courtroom rules (no phones in some courtrooms, no talking, no recording).