If your criminal case is assigned to the West Justice Center in Westminster, this guide will show you where to go, where to park, what entrance to use, what not to bring and what to expect once you walk inside.
I regularly appear at this courthouse. The official name is the Stephen K. Tamura West Justice Center, but most clients simply call it the Westminster courthouse or West Justice Center.
8141 13th Street
Westminster, CA 92683
(657) 622-5900
(657) 622-8459
Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
One of the easiest ways to lower the stress of a court appearance is to know what the building and entrance look like before you arrive.
This is the courthouse building at 8141 13th Street. Give yourself enough time to park, walk to the building and get through security before your scheduled appearance.
Expect courthouse security before entering the public areas of the building.
I also recorded this video specifically about West Justice Center. If this is your first time going to the Westminster courthouse, watch it before your court date and then use the photographs below to recognize the entrance and parking areas.
This page supplements the video with updated 2026 photographs and current practical information about the Stephen K. Tamura West Justice Center.
If you are coming to West Justice Center for a DUI, theft case, domestic violence charge, probation violation, warrant, misdemeanor or other criminal matter, look for the entrance serving Traffic and Criminal.
This is one of those things that is much easier to recognize after you have seen it once.
I took this photograph after court so clients can see what they are looking for before they arrive.
Court assignments can change. Once inside, check the courthouse calendar or monitors for your current department instead of relying on an old website, an old court date or what happened in someone else's case.
If your paperwork says West Justice Center or Stephen K. Tamura Justice Center, verify your department when you arrive.
This is one of the most useful things to know before court: the Orange County Superior Court says free parking is available across 13th Street near the public library and at 13th Street and All American Way.
There are also street parking spaces and other nearby parking options, but always read the posted signs. Do not assume an open curb means you can leave your car there all morning.
The court identifies free visitor parking across 13th Street near the public library and near 13th Street and All American Way.
Metered and regulated street parking may also be available nearby. Check the meter and signs before walking away from your vehicle.
A nearby structure provides another recognizable parking option in the courthouse area.
Street-parking restrictions can apply even when the courthouse is in session.
I photographed one of the posted parking restrictions outside the courthouse because this is exactly the type of small detail people overlook when they are nervous and rushing to court.
Everyone entering the courthouse is subject to security screening. Hand-carried items can be x-rayed and you will pass through a screening device.
The court specifically warns that prohibited items include:
My practical advice: empty your pockets and check your bag before leaving home. If security rejects an item, you may have to walk all the way back to your car while your case is waiting to be called.
Do not plan on pulling into the area at the exact time written on your paperwork. You still need to park, walk to the courthouse and clear security.
Allow additional time for the screening line, particularly during busy morning calendars.
Check the courthouse calendars or monitors for your name and department. Courtroom assignments can change.
Do not assume you are missing from the calendar after one quick look. Hyphenated names and multiple surnames can appear differently than you expect.
Silence your phone, listen for your name and follow the directions of court staff and the bailiff.
The actual hearing may be short, but criminal calendars can contain many cases. A large part of your morning may simply involve waiting for your case to be called.
This causes more panic than it should.
If you have multiple surnames, the court's system may list the case under a different portion of your name than the one you instinctively search.
For example, someone with two surnames may search only under the second surname even though the case was indexed under the first.
Do not simply leave the courthouse because you did not immediately find your name.
Check carefully and ask court staff if necessary. Missing a required appearance can create a bench-warrant problem that is much harder to fix than spending an extra few minutes confirming the calendar.
The official Orange County court page identifies West Justice Center as a facility handling criminal matters, traffic cases and minor offenses.
First DUI cases, repeat DUI matters, drug DUI cases and DUI cases involving accidents regularly appear in Orange County criminal court.
Orange County DUI Defense →Retail-theft and petty-theft cases can be prosecuted at West Justice Center when the underlying incident falls within the court's service area.
Theft Defense Guide →Domestic-violence allegations can involve criminal charges, protective orders and release conditions that need to be addressed immediately.
Domestic Violence Defense →Missing court or failing to complete an ordered requirement can result in a bench warrant. The proper way to address it depends on the case and why the warrant was issued.
Bench Warrant Guide →Probation violation proceedings may involve alleged technical violations, new arrests or failures to complete court-ordered conditions.
First Probation Violation →Hit-and-run cases can involve identification issues, insurance information, vehicle evidence and allegations that the driver failed to stop after an accident.
Hit-and-Run Defense →According to the Orange County Superior Court, West Justice Center serves criminal and traffic matters associated with several west and central Orange County communities.
Always rely on the courthouse listed on your current citation, notice or court record. Case assignments can depend on more than simply the city where you live.
These are photographs I took on September 14, 2026 while appearing at the courthouse. I include them because seeing the actual area before your court date is more useful than a generic stock photo of a courthouse.
The West Justice Center sits near the Westminster civic and library area along 13th Street.
Budget several minutes after parking to walk to the courthouse and reach the security entrance.
Bail becomes more important in cases such as felonies, repeat DUI matters, probation violations, some domestic-violence cases and cases where the prosecution asks the judge to impose more restrictive release conditions.
Depending on the circumstances, defense counsel may argue for release on the defendant's own recognizance, a lower bail amount or appropriate noncustodial conditions.
If you believe custody is realistically possible, that is something to discuss with your attorney before walking into court—not after your case is called.
California Penal Code §977 allows counsel to appear for a defendant in many misdemeanor proceedings, subject to statutory exceptions and the court's authority to require the defendant's presence.
I use attorney appearances when legally appropriate because many clients would otherwise lose an entire morning of work simply to wait for a case that may take only a few minutes to address.
Do not assume you are excused from appearing simply because you hired a lawyer. Your attorney should confirm whether your personal appearance is required for that particular date.
The court says food and drinks are not allowed inside the building. Vending machines are available, and there are restaurants within walking distance.
Accessible parking and courthouse accommodations are available. Requests for disability accommodations can be made using Judicial Council form MC-410.
The court lists Court Reporter/Interpreter Services at (657) 622-6878, option 6.
The Stephen K. Tamura West Justice Center is located at 8141 13th Street, Westminster, California 92683.
Yes. The official name is the Stephen K. Tamura West Justice Center. Lawyers and clients commonly refer to it as West Justice Center, Westminster courthouse or West Court.
Orange County Superior Court states that free parking is available across 13th Street adjacent to the public library and at the corner of 13th Street and All American Way. Other nearby parking may also be available. Always check posted parking restrictions.
The court identifies free visitor parking across 13th Street near the public library and near 13th Street and All American Way.
The Orange County Superior Court currently lists criminal and traffic operations at West Justice Center as open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The official court page lists criminal cases, traffic matters and minor offenses among the cases handled at West Justice Center.
No. West Justice Center is a full-security facility. The court specifically identifies items such as knives, scissors, corkscrews, mace, pepper spray and other potentially dangerous objects as prohibited.
Check carefully, including different parts of a multiple or hyphenated surname, and ask court staff if necessary. Do not simply leave if you believe you are required to appear.
California Penal Code §977 permits attorney appearances in many misdemeanor proceedings, but exceptions apply and the court can require personal attendance. Confirm with your lawyer before missing any court date.
Give yourself enough time to park, walk to the courthouse, pass through security and locate your department before the time on your paperwork. Arriving at the courthouse property at the exact hearing time is too late.
Bring your citation, notice or other court paperwork, photo identification and any documents your attorney instructed you to bring. Do not bring prohibited weapons or security items.
If your citation or court paperwork sends you to the Stephen K. Tamura West Justice Center, send me the paperwork and tell me what happened. I can review the charge, explain what to expect at the courthouse and determine what needs to be done before your next court date.
