How to Find Information on a Criminal Case in the Los Angeles Area
The court system in Los Angeles maintains online records to keep the public informed about ongoing criminal cases.
This makes it possible to stay up to date on legal proceedings without needing to visit courthouses in person or call via the phone. This short guide will cover how to do a court case search in Los Angeles.
As always, if you need help with a specific legal situation, the Helfend Law Group is here to help. Call 800-834-6434 to discuss your case.
How to look up a criminal case in Los Angeles
1. Identify the relevant court
Los Angeles has multiple courts, and the first step is knowing which court is handling your case. Criminal cases can be handled by different types of courts, including Superior Courts and specialized courts like Juvenile Courts or Traffic Courts.
2. Gather necessary information
To look up a case, you will need:
- Case Number – The unique identifier assigned to a case.
- Defendant’s Name – Full legal name of the person involved in the case.
- Filing Date – The date when the case was filed.
3. Use online resources
Most court records can be accessed online through various portals:
- Los Angeles Superior Court Website: This is the main portal for accessing case information for the Los Angeles Superior Court. It is free to use. You can start your search here – https://www.lacourt.org/casesummary/ui/
- California Courts Case Information: For broader searches across multiple counties, the State of California maintains a larger directory. You can visit https://selfhelp.courts.ca.gov/court-basics/look-up-case
4. Visit the courthouse
If online resources do not provide the information needed, you may unfortunately need to visit the courthouse in person. Be prepared to provide the details you collected above and possibly pay a fee for accessing physical records.
Differences between courts in the LA Area
Los Angeles County has a complex court system, and understanding the differences between the various courts can help you navigate the system more effectively:
- LA Superior Court: Handles most criminal cases, including felonies, misdemeanors and infractions. The Superior Court has several divisions, including criminal, civil, family and probate.
- Juvenile Court – Specifically deals with cases involving minors under the age of 18.
- Traffic Court – Handles cases involving traffic violations and infractions.
List of Criminal Courts in the Los Angeles Metro Area
Los Angeles County has numerous courthouses where criminal cases can be heard. Here is a list of some key criminal courts in the Los Angeles metro area:
Superior Courts
- Stanley Mosk Courthouse
- Address: 111 N. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Handles a wide range of cases, including high-profile criminal cases.
- Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
- Address: 210 W. Temple Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
- Dedicated primarily to criminal cases.
- Airport Courthouse
- Address: 11701 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90045
- Handles criminal cases, including misdemeanors and felonies.
- Alhambra Courthouse
- Address: 150 W. Commonwealth Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91801
- Handles criminal and traffic cases.
- Burbank Courthouse
- Address: 300 E. Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA 91502
- Handles criminal cases, including preliminary hearings and trials.
- Compton Courthouse
- Address: 200 W. Compton Boulevard, Compton, CA 90220
- Handles a range of criminal cases.
- Downey Courthouse
- Address: 7500 E. Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242
- Deals with criminal and traffic cases.
- East Los Angeles Courthouse
- Address: 4848 E. Civic Center Way, Los Angeles, CA 90022
- Primarily handles criminal cases.
- Glendale Courthouse
- Address: 600 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206
- Handles criminal cases, including misdemeanors and felonies.
- Inglewood Courthouse
- Address: One Regent Street, Inglewood, CA 90301
- Deals with criminal matters, including arraignments and trials.
- Long Beach Courthouse
- Address: 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
- Handles criminal cases, including serious felonies.
- Norwalk Courthouse
- Address: 12720 Norwalk Boulevard, Norwalk, CA 90650
- Handles criminal cases and preliminary hearings.
- Pasadena Courthouse
- Address: 300 E. Walnut Street, Pasadena, CA 91101
- Deals with a variety of criminal cases.
- Pomona Courthouse South
- Address: 400 Civic Center Plaza, Pomona, CA 91766
- Handles criminal matters, including felonies and misdemeanors.
- Santa Monica Courthouse
- Address: 1725 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Deals with criminal cases, including arraignments and trials.
- Torrance Courthouse
- Address: 825 Maple Avenue, Torrance, CA 90503
- Handles criminal cases, including preliminary hearings and trials.
- Van Nuys Courthouse East
- Address: 6230 Sylmar Avenue, Van Nuys, CA 91401
- Handles a wide range of criminal cases.
Juvenile Courts
- Eastlake Juvenile Court
- Address: 1601 Eastlake Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90033
- Handles cases involving minors.
- Inglewood Juvenile Court
- Address: 110 Regent Street, Inglewood, CA 90301
- Deals with juvenile delinquency and dependency cases.
- Sylmar Juvenile Court
- Address: 16350 Filbert Street, Sylmar, CA 91342
- Handles cases involving juveniles.
Traffic Courts
- West Covina Courthouse
- Address: 1427 West Covina Parkway, West Covina, CA 91790
- Handles traffic violations and infractions.
- Beverly Hills Courthouse
- Address: 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
- Deals with traffic-related cases.
- Metropolitan Courthouse
- Address: 1945 S. Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90007
- Handles traffic violations, minor criminal cases, and infractions.
Get help for your criminal case today
Having an experienced and dedicated attorney by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Robert M. Helfend, a seasoned criminal defense attorney based in Los Angeles, offers expert legal assistance to help you through every step of the process. With over 40 years of experience, Mr. Helfend is well-equipped to defend your rights and fight for your future.
For immediate legal assistance and a free case evaluation, contact the Helfend Law Group at 800-834-6434.
Published June 11, 2024.