Orange County DUI Lawyer / Attorney

Court Appearance
Court appearances are mandatory on criminal misdemeanor and felony cases. Extensions will not be granted. You must appear at the Justice Center on the date and time as directed on your release paper or arraignment letter. WARNING: Failure to appear may result in a warrant for your arrest.

On your court date, check the posted court calendars for your name and courtroom. If your name is on a calendar, go directly to the courtroom. If not, report to the Criminal Operations Division. Be prepared to provide identification and information on the arrest or alleged offense, including jail release paperwork, notice to appear or arraignment letter. Click here for maps/Justice Center locations

Arraignment Hearing
The arraignment is the first court appearance.
A Judicial Officer informs the defendant/attorney of the following:

• alleged charges
• constitutional rights

The defendant/attorney will enter a plea of :

• Not Guilty- the defendant states that he/she did not commit the crime. The case will be set for a future hearing.
• Guilty- the defendant admits that he/she did commit the crime.
• No Contest- the defendant will not contest the charge. The plea has the same effect as a guilty plea except the conviction cannot be used against the defendant in a civil suit.

Failure to Appear
If the defendant does not appear in court as required, the court can order any, or all of the following actions:

• Forfeiture of bail or bond.
• Issuance of a warrant.
• Suspension of the defendant's drivers license.
• An additonal violation alleging a failure to appear. The punishment for this violation can be an additional jail term and/or a fine.
• Impose an additional $250.00 assessment pursuant to penal Code Section 1214.1 .

Warrant Information
To appear on a warrant, you must report to the Criminal Operations Division by 8:00 a.m. at the Justice Center, which ordered the warrant. To post bail, contact the Justice Center which ordered the warrant.

Payment of Fines by Mail
Fines are due on the date set by the court. For your convenience, payments may be made by mail, in person, or by phone.
The court accepts:

• Visa, Master Card, Discover Card. To make a credit card payment by phone call during business hours. Click for Justice Center phone numbers
• Debit cards accepted at some Justice Centers.
• Checks or money orders. Checks and money orders should be payable to "Clerk of the Court." To ensure your payment is credited to the case, include case number. All checks must be preprinted with makers name and address.
• Cash (DO NOT MAIL CASH)

Extensions
Extensions on court ordered fines, fees, programs or jail may be requested at the Criminal Operations Division on or before the due date, at 8:00 a.m.

A one-time extension on fines or community service may be granted by the Criminal Operations Division by phone during business hours. Click here for Justice Center phone numbers

Bail Refunds
Refunds on cash bail are processed automatically upon court order. It takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the date of the court order to receive your refund. The Orange County Auditor's office will mail the refund check payable to the depositor named on the bail receipt.

Blood Alcohol Results
Blood alcohol results may be obtained by contacting the District Attorney's Office or City Attorney's office prior to the arraignment. Click here for District Attorney's Office web page

Court - Appointed Counsel
At the arraignment, if the defendant wants to be represented by an attorney, but cannot afford one, a request may be made for a court appointed attorney. If the court determines the defendant meets the qualifications, an attorney will be appointed.

When the court appoints a public defender, or other counsel, a determination may be made of the defendant's ability to pay fees for services. If the court determines the defendant has the ability to pay, an order will be made to pay all or part of the costs. Such an order has the same force and effect as a civil judgment. Click here for the Public Defender's Office web page

Fees

• Copies - $0.80 per page.
• Certification - $6.60 per document.
• Research - $5.00 per name, per index.
• Penal Code 1203.4 Petition - $120.00.
• Penal Code 1203.4a Petition - $60.00.
• DMV Abstract - $7.00.

Motions
Motions-Misdemeanor Cases and Felony Cases before an order holding a defendant to answer are detailed in Rule 850 of the Local Rules of Court . Click here for Local Rules of Court, Rule 850

Motions-Felony cases once an Information or Indictment has been filed are detailed in Rule 800 of the Local Rules of Court. Click here for the Local Rules of Court, Rule 800.

Records Searches
Requests for record searches may be made in person in the Criminal Operations Division at any Justice Center.

To request a record search by mail, provide as much information as possible, including full name(s), date of birth and any additional information available.

The fee for a record search is $5.00 per name, per index. There will be an additional fee if copies of documents are requested. See above fee schedule.

Copies
Requests for copies may be made in person in the Criminal Operations Division at the Justice Center where the case is filed.

The fee for copies is $.80 per page. If certification is requested, an additional $6.60 per document will be assessed. See above fee schedule.

Provide the following information (if unknown, there may be additional fees for a record search):

• Defendant's name
• Case number
• Date of birth (if known)
• Specific documents requested

To request copies by mail, submit a check payable to "Clerk of the Court." DO NOT SEND CASH. If the total amount is unknown, indicate under the amount line "not to exceed $25.00." The correct amount will be filled in and a receipt will be forwarded, along with the requested copies. All checks must be preprinted with makers name and address. Copy orders are filled within 7-10 working days.

Include a self addressed, stamped envelope large enough to accommodate the request.

Pilot Direct Calendar Domestic Violence Court
The Orange County Superior Court views domestic violence and related cases as a unique group of criminal cases that would benefit all parties if assigned for "all purposes" to a designated direct calendar Domestic Violence Court to oversee their assignment, adjudication and administration. This pilot project is creating a dedicated Domestic Violence court which is intended to better assist victims, increase accountability of batterers, advance the administration of justice while protecting the due process rights of all participants. Click here for additional information and the administrative order establishing the pilot project."