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Author - Chris Lamb
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Alhambra Courthouse
150 West Commonwealth, Alhambra, CA 91801
Free EZ Parking. Can be long security lines to 9:30 a.m. The line to see clerk frequently exceeds 1.5 hours. No easy access for attorneys. Courtrooms do not open on time generally. Clerks give inconsistent information on when attorneys may request add on appearances. At last count - attorney add ons taken weekday mornings, and 1:30 calendar on Mondays only. Dismissals of some traffic violations are common if defendant asks for it in exchange for partial guilty plea. Court just wants to clear out cases. Ask for dismissals. Bailiffs sometimes give hints on what to ask for.
Headache Rating: 3
150 West Commonwealth, Alhambra, CA 91801
Free EZ Parking. Can be long security lines to 9:30 a.m. The line to see clerk frequently exceeds 1.5 hours. No easy access for attorneys. Courtrooms do not open on time generally. Clerks give inconsistent information on when attorneys may request add on appearances. At last count - attorney add ons taken weekday mornings, and 1:30 calendar on Mondays only. Dismissals of some traffic violations are common if defendant asks for it in exchange for partial guilty plea. Court just wants to clear out cases. Ask for dismissals. Bailiffs sometimes give hints on what to ask for.
Headache Rating: 3
Author - Chris Lamb
Los Angeles County Courthouse Notes
These
are informal, unverified notes by Attorneys handling warrants and
traffic court problems in LA Courts. While you may find this info
helpful, this content is opinion only and should not be relied on as
your only source of info.
Alhambra Courthouse
150 West Commonwealth, Alhambra, CA 91801
Free EZ Parking. Can be long security lines to 9:30 a.m. The line to see clerk frequently exceeds 1.5 hours. No easy access for attorneys. Courtrooms do not open on time generally. Clerks give inconsistent information on when attorneys may request add on appearances. At last count - attorney add ons taken weekday mornings, and 1:30 calendar on Mondays only. Dismissals of some traffic violations are common if defendant asks for it in exchange for partial guilty plea. Court just wants to clear out cases. Ask for dismissals. Bailiffs sometimes give hints on what to ask for. Headache Rating: 3.
Beverly Hills Courthouse
9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
No free parking (except on the North Side of Santa Monica Blvd.), but nice scenery. Generally, no same day appearances. Unhappy clerks, but look for celebrities. I once saw Fara there. EZ place to work. Headache Rating: 2
Bellflower Courthouse
10025 East Flower Street, Bellflower, CA 90706
Free ez parking. Long security lines in a.m. At last visit, courtroom opened at 9:15 a.m. Best time to go and ask for a walk in traffic court appearnace on a failure to appear case is 8:00 a.m. or 11a.m. (for possible 1:30 session. Call first to confirm court dates.
Chatsworth Courthouse
9425 Penfield Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311
Nice building and free pkg. Very tough traffic driving from LA. Bench warrants handled by San Fernando Courthouse, even though the web site shows Chattsworth. Will take 1:30 p.m. cases early. Well informed and helpful clerks. Good access to clerks for attorneys. Efficient use of computers. Judges are efficient and work though case loads effectively. Headache Rating: 2.5
Compton Courthouse
200 West Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90220
!!!!!!!! Don't get lost here. Gang graffiti on the courthouse itself. Free parking available, but not recommended. Ugly building, long lines for the elevator. Very, very uncomfortable. No working public computer terminals to look up cases, but lots of dead ones laying around. You must wait in line to get case info. Headache Rating: 5
Downey Courthouse
7500 East Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242
The different rules for each Courts and inconsistency are amazing! Court rarely starts before 10 a.m. and clerk inconsistently requires pre-payment of fine for release of abstract (plus DMV fees). Long waits for clerks to convert handwritten notes into computer and calculate fines. Don't leave without your paperwork. They will not send it to you, and even if they did, it would be very difficult to read. No consistent air conditioning!! Be prepared to yell at the clerk, because you have to talk to them through bullet proof 1.5 inch glass. I guess they are worried about being robbed. Tough place to work, routine tasks that should be done in seconds are very difficult.
Headache Meter = 5.
East Los Angeles Courthouse
214 South Fetterly Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90022
Attorney Comments: "place is a disaster". Tough place to do business. Courtrooms have 3 separate designations which make no sense - for example division 3 could also be Div. A and div. 102. Directory on first floor is not helpful, because it lists the courtrooms as room numbers which are useless to the everyday person. Free parking, but no easy access to court clerk for attorneys. No public computer terminals to look up cases. Courtrooms do not open until after 9.
Attorneys have waited as long as 1 hour in a no air conditioned building for a clerk to add up a simple fine. This place does everything on paper with handwriting. Other LA County Courthouses are much more efficient. Headache Rating: 5
Glendale Courthouse
Glendale, CA
Free Parking. Long security lines to 9:30 a.m. Very hot in the summer time. Nice Courthouse.
Inglewood Courthouse
One Regent Street, Inglewood, CA 90301
No attorney window. Court entrance on 2nd floor of parking structure; no free pkg. Hard to find. Across the street from the juvenile courthouse.
Santa Clarita Courthouse
23747 West Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355
This courthouse is far from everything. No easy access for attorneys. Security makes everyone line up out front like cattle. They have an attorney window. Will put cases on same day for attorneys, early or late. Limited pkg. Very slow opening up.
Headache Meter: 3
LA Metropolitan Courthouse
1945 South Hill St. Los Angeles CA 90007
Crazy place! No free parking. Unhappy clerks behind bullet-proof glass. Long lines to see a clerk. Very early arrival required. However, traffic court departments run well. Bailiffs are very good about sorting through cases early to increase efficiency. Well thought out process for dealing with cases quickly in a tough place. However, clerks behind the bulletproof glass are known as Masters of Misinformation, and have repeatedly giving false info to our attorneys regarding appearances and procedure. Clerks also have a very confusing multi window system. To avoid waiting in the wrong line for an hour or more, you must check and double check that you are in the right line. There are 2 sets of clerk windows on the first floor, and each deals with different aspect of a traffic court transaction. You may have to visit multiple windows to get something done. Court paperwork does not come on type written forms. It comes in the clerks own handwriting on old school carbon paper. Make sure you can read it before you leave! And don't trust the clerks math skills.
Headache Rating: 4.2 (They should visit Orange County to see how to do it better).
Pasadena Courthouse
300 East Walnut Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
Free Parking. Busy Courthouse. Will not allow walk in appearances after 8:30a.m. They do not have a 1:30 pm arraignment calendar at last check. They do have an attorney window.
Pomona Courthouse
350 West Mission Blvd., Pomona, CA 91766
Don't confuse this courthouse with the Pasadena Courthouse. Most juvenile traffic cases are heard in Pasadena. Free parking. The wait is not very long there after someone gets arraigned. The bailiff and clerk handle the paperwork in the courtroom and calculate fines within a minute or two. Very fast process, unlike West LA or Downey Courthouses. Why so different? They have a caseload of about 85 traffic arraignments per day. On one occasion, the Judge permitted a woman to appear for her loved one (hubby, son, cousin or something) She said she had a Power of Attorney (never showed it to bailiff or judge) Judge said normally he would not let someone appear for another person, but that there had to be some good reason. (the reason that she gave for her appearing for someone else was complete bull**** and she should have never said it out loud- but the judge did not mind)
Santa Monica Courthouse
Main St., Santa Monica, CA
Many people confuse this courthouse with the West LA Courthouse. This courthouse is actually further west than the West LA courthouse. No free parking, nice scenery. Generally, no same day appearances. It appears that Dept. Q might only have traffic in the afternoon, small claims in the am. Clerks are friendly and understand. Courtrooms are tiny and cramped, but the cases are worked through quickly.
Headache Rating: 2
Torrance Courthouse
Torrance, CA
Welcome to beautiful Torrance!
West LA Courthouse
1633 Purdue
Los Angeles, CA
This courthouse is very hard to find. It is on the West Side of Hwy 405 down a side street off Santa Monica Blvd. Parking is generally very tough, and the most accessible lot costs about $12. Yes, it costs money just to show up. Clerks can be very frustrating. If they make you really mad, walk down the street to have a great Mexican lunch, then go back and try again. Sometimes they don't recognize you the second time and give you a different answer to the same question.
Alhambra Courthouse
150 West Commonwealth, Alhambra, CA 91801
Free EZ Parking. Can be long security lines to 9:30 a.m. The line to see clerk frequently exceeds 1.5 hours. No easy access for attorneys. Courtrooms do not open on time generally. Clerks give inconsistent information on when attorneys may request add on appearances. At last count - attorney add ons taken weekday mornings, and 1:30 calendar on Mondays only. Dismissals of some traffic violations are common if defendant asks for it in exchange for partial guilty plea. Court just wants to clear out cases. Ask for dismissals. Bailiffs sometimes give hints on what to ask for. Headache Rating: 3.
Beverly Hills Courthouse
9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
No free parking (except on the North Side of Santa Monica Blvd.), but nice scenery. Generally, no same day appearances. Unhappy clerks, but look for celebrities. I once saw Fara there. EZ place to work. Headache Rating: 2
Bellflower Courthouse
10025 East Flower Street, Bellflower, CA 90706
Free ez parking. Long security lines in a.m. At last visit, courtroom opened at 9:15 a.m. Best time to go and ask for a walk in traffic court appearnace on a failure to appear case is 8:00 a.m. or 11a.m. (for possible 1:30 session. Call first to confirm court dates.
Chatsworth Courthouse
9425 Penfield Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311
Nice building and free pkg. Very tough traffic driving from LA. Bench warrants handled by San Fernando Courthouse, even though the web site shows Chattsworth. Will take 1:30 p.m. cases early. Well informed and helpful clerks. Good access to clerks for attorneys. Efficient use of computers. Judges are efficient and work though case loads effectively. Headache Rating: 2.5
Compton Courthouse
200 West Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90220
!!!!!!!! Don't get lost here. Gang graffiti on the courthouse itself. Free parking available, but not recommended. Ugly building, long lines for the elevator. Very, very uncomfortable. No working public computer terminals to look up cases, but lots of dead ones laying around. You must wait in line to get case info. Headache Rating: 5
Downey Courthouse
7500 East Imperial Highway, Downey, CA 90242
The different rules for each Courts and inconsistency are amazing! Court rarely starts before 10 a.m. and clerk inconsistently requires pre-payment of fine for release of abstract (plus DMV fees). Long waits for clerks to convert handwritten notes into computer and calculate fines. Don't leave without your paperwork. They will not send it to you, and even if they did, it would be very difficult to read. No consistent air conditioning!! Be prepared to yell at the clerk, because you have to talk to them through bullet proof 1.5 inch glass. I guess they are worried about being robbed. Tough place to work, routine tasks that should be done in seconds are very difficult.
Headache Meter = 5.
East Los Angeles Courthouse
214 South Fetterly Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90022
Attorney Comments: "place is a disaster". Tough place to do business. Courtrooms have 3 separate designations which make no sense - for example division 3 could also be Div. A and div. 102. Directory on first floor is not helpful, because it lists the courtrooms as room numbers which are useless to the everyday person. Free parking, but no easy access to court clerk for attorneys. No public computer terminals to look up cases. Courtrooms do not open until after 9.
Attorneys have waited as long as 1 hour in a no air conditioned building for a clerk to add up a simple fine. This place does everything on paper with handwriting. Other LA County Courthouses are much more efficient. Headache Rating: 5
Glendale Courthouse
Glendale, CA
Free Parking. Long security lines to 9:30 a.m. Very hot in the summer time. Nice Courthouse.
Inglewood Courthouse
One Regent Street, Inglewood, CA 90301
No attorney window. Court entrance on 2nd floor of parking structure; no free pkg. Hard to find. Across the street from the juvenile courthouse.
Santa Clarita Courthouse
23747 West Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355
This courthouse is far from everything. No easy access for attorneys. Security makes everyone line up out front like cattle. They have an attorney window. Will put cases on same day for attorneys, early or late. Limited pkg. Very slow opening up.
Headache Meter: 3
LA Metropolitan Courthouse
1945 South Hill St. Los Angeles CA 90007
Crazy place! No free parking. Unhappy clerks behind bullet-proof glass. Long lines to see a clerk. Very early arrival required. However, traffic court departments run well. Bailiffs are very good about sorting through cases early to increase efficiency. Well thought out process for dealing with cases quickly in a tough place. However, clerks behind the bulletproof glass are known as Masters of Misinformation, and have repeatedly giving false info to our attorneys regarding appearances and procedure. Clerks also have a very confusing multi window system. To avoid waiting in the wrong line for an hour or more, you must check and double check that you are in the right line. There are 2 sets of clerk windows on the first floor, and each deals with different aspect of a traffic court transaction. You may have to visit multiple windows to get something done. Court paperwork does not come on type written forms. It comes in the clerks own handwriting on old school carbon paper. Make sure you can read it before you leave! And don't trust the clerks math skills.
Headache Rating: 4.2 (They should visit Orange County to see how to do it better).
Pasadena Courthouse
300 East Walnut Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
Free Parking. Busy Courthouse. Will not allow walk in appearances after 8:30a.m. They do not have a 1:30 pm arraignment calendar at last check. They do have an attorney window.
Pomona Courthouse
350 West Mission Blvd., Pomona, CA 91766
Don't confuse this courthouse with the Pasadena Courthouse. Most juvenile traffic cases are heard in Pasadena. Free parking. The wait is not very long there after someone gets arraigned. The bailiff and clerk handle the paperwork in the courtroom and calculate fines within a minute or two. Very fast process, unlike West LA or Downey Courthouses. Why so different? They have a caseload of about 85 traffic arraignments per day. On one occasion, the Judge permitted a woman to appear for her loved one (hubby, son, cousin or something) She said she had a Power of Attorney (never showed it to bailiff or judge) Judge said normally he would not let someone appear for another person, but that there had to be some good reason. (the reason that she gave for her appearing for someone else was complete bull**** and she should have never said it out loud- but the judge did not mind)
Santa Monica Courthouse
Main St., Santa Monica, CA
Many people confuse this courthouse with the West LA Courthouse. This courthouse is actually further west than the West LA courthouse. No free parking, nice scenery. Generally, no same day appearances. It appears that Dept. Q might only have traffic in the afternoon, small claims in the am. Clerks are friendly and understand. Courtrooms are tiny and cramped, but the cases are worked through quickly.
Headache Rating: 2
Torrance Courthouse
Torrance, CA
Welcome to beautiful Torrance!
West LA Courthouse
1633 Purdue
Los Angeles, CA
This courthouse is very hard to find. It is on the West Side of Hwy 405 down a side street off Santa Monica Blvd. Parking is generally very tough, and the most accessible lot costs about $12. Yes, it costs money just to show up. Clerks can be very frustrating. If they make you really mad, walk down the street to have a great Mexican lunch, then go back and try again. Sometimes they don't recognize you the second time and give you a different answer to the same question.
Author - Chris Lamb
Los Angeles County Courthouse Notes
Alhambra Courthouse
150 West Commonwealth, Alhambra, CA 91801
Free EZ Parking. Can be long security lines to 9:30 a.m. The line to see clerk frequently exceeds 1.5 hours. No easy access for attorneys. Courtrooms do not open on time generally. Clerks give inconsistent information on when attorneys may request add on appearances. At last count - attorney add ons taken weekday mornings, and 1:30 calendar on Mondays only. Dismissals of some traffic violations are common if defendant asks for it in exchange for partial guilty plea. Court just wants to clear out cases. Ask for dismissals. Bailiffs sometimes give hints on what to ask for.
Headache Rating=3
150 West Commonwealth, Alhambra, CA 91801
Free EZ Parking. Can be long security lines to 9:30 a.m. The line to see clerk frequently exceeds 1.5 hours. No easy access for attorneys. Courtrooms do not open on time generally. Clerks give inconsistent information on when attorneys may request add on appearances. At last count - attorney add ons taken weekday mornings, and 1:30 calendar on Mondays only. Dismissals of some traffic violations are common if defendant asks for it in exchange for partial guilty plea. Court just wants to clear out cases. Ask for dismissals. Bailiffs sometimes give hints on what to ask for.
Headache Rating=3
Author - Chris Lamb
Contact the DMV Driver Safety Office for Info on the Status of Your Drivers License
Our
attorneys have found that the most effective way to determine if a
drivers license is suspended or valid is to call the DMV driver safety
office, which is different than the local offices. Their contact info
is on the DMV Web Site.
Author - Chris Lamb
Los Angeles County Courthouse Notes
Beverly Hills Courthouse
9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
This is generally a good courthouse. Clerks office has separate attorney access. Court will allow walk in appearances on misdemeanor warrant cases, and will recall some warrants by fax for attorneys through the fax arraignment procedure. Misdemeanor cases can be arraigned by fax. There is a separate building for minor traffic offenses in the back called the "Traffic Court Annex". Free parking. EZ access via public transportation.
Headache Rating=4
9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
This is generally a good courthouse. Clerks office has separate attorney access. Court will allow walk in appearances on misdemeanor warrant cases, and will recall some warrants by fax for attorneys through the fax arraignment procedure. Misdemeanor cases can be arraigned by fax. There is a separate building for minor traffic offenses in the back called the "Traffic Court Annex". Free parking. EZ access via public transportation.
Headache Rating=4
