3 Important Points from the Article:
- The Fullerton Courthouse primarily handles criminal cases, with the majority being misdemeanors and felonies and a very few civil cases. Arriving late to the Fullerton Courthouse is taken seriously, potentially resulting in a bench warrant for your arrest.
- The courthouse has distinct processes and stages like arraignments, motions, pre-trials, and jury trials.
Navigating the legal labyrinth can be daunting, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the specifics of the Fullerton Courthouse. This guide sheds light on the types of cases the courthouse handles, the significance of punctuality, and the different stages one might encounter in the legal process.
Where is the Fullerton Courthouse?
The Fullerton Courthouse is located on Harbor street. It is next to the park and trails. Unlike Westminster Courthouse and Santa Ana, the Fullerton Courthouse does not charge for parking. The majority of cases there are criminal where people have been arrested. These include felony cases and misdemeanors (DUI, public urination, shoplifting from Disneyland and a handful of traffic cases)
There are some civil cases there, but those are exceptional. Fullerton Courthouse handles most of the criminal case filings involving Brea, Yorba Linda, Fullerton, Anaheim and the surrounding areas. Most of the cases that goes thru Fullerton involve DUIs along Imperial Highway and the 57/91 freeway and people bringing drugs into and stealing from Disneyland.
Misdemeanor cases in Fullerton Courthouse.
Most of the cases in Fullerton are criminal cases filed by the Orange County District Attorneys Office but there are a handful of cases that also filed by the Anaheim City Prosecutors and the City of Fullerton on behalf of the city for public urination cases.
There can be 50 to 75 cases set for arraignment on any day in the Fullerton Courthouse. Arraignments in Fullerton Courthouse as of the writing of this post are held in N8. N8 is on the right side of the courthouse and is located on the third floor.
You have to enter in the courthouse from the 3rd floor.
The arraignment is your first day of court. It is the date where you can say you are guilty or not guilty. There is also a third option for a two-week extension to find yourself an attorney. Some examples of the cases that go thru N8 are DUI, public urination, petty theft, driving with no license, and driving on a suspended license. This is not an exhaustive list.
You Must Be at Your Courtroom at 8:30
You will find your courtroom on the television screen. The television screens are on the right side of the courthouse after you the metal detectors. It is important that you show up at the Fullerton Courthouse at 8:30 for court. Warrants are issued if you come late. I have seen people being issued warrants at 10:00 and you must be there in time, .
The court is no joke, you must be there on time! If you are late, then you must tell the bailiff that you came in late. You must not annoy the bailiff. It’s also important that you schedule enough time to stay at the courthouse. A good rule of thumb is to have nough time to stay until lunch.
When Going to the Fullerton Courthouse You Should Reserve a Half a Day
You should reserve a half a day when going to the Fullerton Courthouse. You may get quicker than that, but is better to be safe than sorry. Many times you will fine yourself waiting in line or in the hallway for your case to be called. This may take up to 90 minutes. In addition to this if you may have to fill out forms and go to windows for to register for you DUI classes and workout your fines with collections..
What types of cases are typically heard at the Fullerton Courthouse?
The Fullerton Courthouse hears misdemeanor and felony criminal cases. It has 2 Courtrooms for civil cases but the rest are for criminal. As for a misdemeanor cases, the Fullerton courthouse will handle the whole case from the beginning of all the way until jury trial. For felony cases, the Fulton courthouse will handle the cases up to the preliminary hearing. After the preliminary hearing, the case will move over to Santa Ana Courthouse.
Are there any specific parking regulations or fees that visitors should be aware of when going to the Fullerton Courthouse?
There are no specific parking regulations or fees that visitors should be aware of when going to the Fullerton courthouse. The courthouse has two parking lots. One parking lot will be on the South side of the courthouse and the other parking lot would be on the West side. It should be noted that the lot on the West side Is split into two and the closer spots are reserved for employees.
Can you provide more details about the arraignment process at the Fullerton Courthouse, including what happens during this stage?
The ramen process at the Fullerton courthouse is a chance for you to admit or deny the charges. It is the first of many court dates on your case. If you have an attorney and it’s a misdemeanor case, the attorney can go to court for you. If it is a felony case, then you will have to be there with or without your attorney. The arrangement process is also a spot where you can request a public defender or ask the judge for more time, so that way you can hire your own attorney. If you admit the charges against you, then you case will end and you will be sentenced
What are the consequences of arriving late to the Fullerton Courthouse for a scheduled court appearance?
Arriving late to any court appearance at the Fullerton courthouse is highly discouraged. Coming late to a court appearance can also resemble not being there at all. If you are not present when your case is called, the court will take that as a non appearance. A non appearance at a criminal case will result in a bench warrant for your arrest. It is highly advisable to be present and on time for your case at the Fullerton courthouse.
How can individuals handle situations where they might be late due to unexpected circumstances?
If you are late to your case at the Fullerton courthouse because of unexpected circumstances, then you should check the TV screen For your name. After you find your name on your courtroom, you should immediately go into the courtroom and let the bailiff know that you are late. The bailiff will let the court know.
Besides the arraignment, what other stages or proceedings might individuals have to go through during their time at the Fullerton Courthouse for their case?
In addition to the rain, when there are other stages and proceedings an individual will have to go through during the life of their criminal case at the Fulton courthouse. These additional stages are proceedings can include motions and pre trials and jury trials. Motions Is when an attorney ask the court To do something Based on the law. This can include having the judge take a look at the stop that gave rise to the contact between the officer and the defendant and to determine whether or not it was a justified. A pretrial is a fancy way to say negotiations. It is during this stage that attorneys from both sides work on resolving their case. There are times during the pretrial where an attorney will bring in the judge to help resolve the case. A jury trial is something that everybody has heard about before. It is when both parties cannot agree on a resolution for their case, so they bring in People to decide the facts. These people are called juries. A jury trial can last up to a week with eight hour days.
Understanding the nuances of the Fullerton Courthouse, from its parking facilities to its stringent timing rules, is essential for anyone with a pending case. With the right knowledge and preparation, one can navigate their court dates smoothly and avoid unnecessary complications.
