LA Local Traffic and Criminal Court Resources
Summary: Links to important Local LA Traffic Court resources such as the law library, forms, and the public defenders office.
LA County Public Defender
This office provides Attorney Services for "indigent" defendants after appointment by a Judge. To get a public defender, you must appear in court and ask the judge to appoint a public defender, and then meet financial qualification to demonstrate an inability to pay for a private defender. You cannot get a public defender by telephone. But their web site provides a wealth of information on the criminal process.
Department of Motor Vehicles Driver Safety Office Van Nuys
This DMV Office is the best source of information on the status of a drivers license, and reasons for a suspension. This office also handles DMV license suspension hearings after DUIs or for drivers who have too many points. They do answer the phone.
LA Traffic Court Case Search
Los Angeles County Superior Court does have great on line access for Traffic Court Cases. But they do not have on line access for criminal case info, and they actually will try to charge you for a name search of criminal cases if you do not know what you're doing. This problem makes it very difficult to get criminal case info in LA. If you cannot find your case in the traffic division, and you may have a misdemeanor or felony charge, you will need to call or visit the criminal division court clerk.
California Traffic Court Self Help Forms
This site, run by the Judicial Council, publishes free California Court Forms, including Traffic Court Appear forms, and Subpoenas. Forms for Demanding a Trial De Novo, and for Appealing a Traffic Court Case.
LA County Law Library
This is a free law library for the public. This is the place to start any real research problem, and is the place to look up penal codes, find vehicle code sections, and to use practice guides that call tell you what the defenses to a DUI are, etc.
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