Downtown Courthouse

The Central San Diego Courthouse, commonly referred to as the Downtown San Diego Courthouse, oversees many of the region’s most notable and high-profile cases. The courthouse’s jurisdiction extends across various neighborhoods, including Lemon Grove, Mission Valley, North Park, Hillcrest, and even more distant areas like Poway, El Cajon, and Rancho Bernardo. Cases arising from these areas fall under the City of San Diego’s legal authority.

This courthouse is home to two prosecutorial agencies: the City Attorney’s Office, which manages misdemeanor cases, and the District Attorney’s Office, responsible for felonies. If you have a misdemeanor case and it’s your first court appearance, you’ll head to Department 1 on the first floor for your arraignment. For felony cases, initial appearances take place in Department 12 on the second floor. Pre-trial negotiations for felony cases often occur in Departments 29 or 30, located on the third floor. Preliminary examinations and trials are typically set in Department 11 on the second floor, with post-preliminary pre-trial hearings in Department 31.

For those involved in misdemeanor domestic violence cases, proceedings may move upstairs to Department 9 on the second floor. Hiring an experienced Downtown criminal defense attorney familiar with the courthouse procedures and its legal personnel is critical for navigating the system smoothly.

Attorney Vikas Bajaj, a well-known Downtown San Diego criminal lawyer, frequents the downtown courthouse and has handled a wide range of cases. With strong connections to the City Attorney and District Attorney offices, he offers comprehensive legal representation.

Direction to the Central San Diego Courthouse

https://www.sdcourt.ca.gov/sdcourt/generalinformation/courtlocations/centralcourthouse2

Working Hours:

Monday to Friday 8.30 to 11.30 a.m.

Important Phone Numbers:

For any criminal case inquiries, contact Vikas Bajaj, a Downtown criminal defense attorney at (619) 525-7005.