Information for Defendants About Ventura Superior Court

California has the largest court system in the United States.  Navigating this vast system can feel very confusing and overwhelming for defendants and their loved ones.  In an effort to help educate defendants and their family members about how California’s courts work, our Ventura criminal defense lawyers have compiled this short guide explaining some key information about Ventura Superior Court, including:

• What types of cases the court handles.
• Where the court is located.
• How to contact the court.

If you or one of your loved ones was recently arrested, charged with a crime, or taken into police custody in Ventura, you need to contact a skilled and experienced criminal attorney immediately.  For a free and confidential legal consultation about your criminal charges in Ventura County, contact The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC at (805) 643-5555 right away.  Our defense attorneys have over 20 years of experience representing defendants charged with misdemeanors and felonies.

What Types of Criminal Cases Are Heard in Ventura Superior Court?

There are hundreds of courthouses in California, but most cases are heard in California’s superior courts, which are also known as “trial courts.”  There is one superior or trial court for each of California’s 58 counties.  Courts have jurisdiction over matters arising within their county.  In Ventura County, this includes Bell Canyon, Camarillo, Casa Conejo, Channel Islands Beach, El Rio, Fillmore, Lake Sherwood, Meiners Oaks, Mira Monte, Moorpark, Oak Park, Oak View, Ojai, Oxnard, Piru, Port Hueneme, Ventura, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa Valley, Santa Susana, Saticoy, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks.

Superior court can be confusing because it handles multiple types of cases, including civil cases, juvenile cases, traffic cases, and criminal cases.  For instance, Ventura Superior Court features a Civil Division, a Family Law Division, and, as this guide will focus on, a Criminal/Traffic Division.
Together, the Ventura Superior Court Criminal/Traffic Division and Juvenile Court Division have three courthouse locations:

1. Ventura Courthouse (Ventura Hall of Justice) – This court handles all types of criminal cases, including felonies and misdemeanors.  It also handles traffic tickets.  Examples of felonies include murder and rape.  Examples of misdemeanors include petty theft and public intoxication.  A crime that can be charged as a felony or misdemeanor depending on the circumstances is called a “wobbler” in California.  Assault with a deadly weapon is an example of a wobbler.
2. East County Courthouse – This court also handles criminal cases and traffic violations.  Once a criminal case is over, the associated files are sent to Ventura.
3. Oxnard Juvenile Courthouse – As its name suggests, this court handles only juvenile matters.  Anyone under the age of 18 is a juvenile (minor).

Ventura Superior Court Location, Hours, and Contact Information

Regardless of where your case is being heard, you should arrive early and neatly dressed for any hearing you are required to attend.  Your Ventura defense lawyer will talk to you about how to prepare, what to expect, and how to conduct yourself in court.
The Ventura Courthouse is located at the following address:

Ventura – Hall of Justice
800 South Victoria Avenue
Ventura, CA 93009

The East County Courthouse is located at the following address:

Simi Valley – East County Courthouse
3855-F Alamo Street
Simi Valley, CA 93063

The Oxnard Juvenile Courthouse is located at the following address:

Oxnard – Juvenile Courthouse
4353 East Vineyard Avenue
Oxnard, CA 93036

The office hours for all three courthouses are 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.  Additionally, the Ventura Courthouse Criminal/Traffic Division has a Walk-Up Express Window, which will accept payments until 6:45 P.M.  Likewise, the East County Courthouse has a Walk-Up Express Window which is open for payments until 4:30 P.M. on weekdays.

To contact Ventura County Superior Court, you can call one of the following phone numbers:

• Main Number – (805) 289-8900
• Criminal/Traffic Number – (805) 289-8545
• Juvenile Number – (805) 289-8820

Ventura Criminal Defense Lawyers Handling Felony and Misdemeanor Charges in California

The Ventura County Superior Court website features numerous self-help guides that can supply further information.  However, while these guides can help give you a clearer picture of how the court system works, it is not in your best interests to represent yourself.  You will be up against a trained, experienced prosecutor, and will be expected to know court procedures, criminal statutes, and other legal information pertinent to your case.

You are entitled to a vigorous defense, and you deserve dedicated support from an aggressive attorney who knows which strategies are most likely to yield a favorable outcome for your case.  Let the trusted and knowledgeable California criminal lawyers at The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC bring our decades of experience to your defense.  We can protect your legal rights, guide you through the court system, and fight hard for reduced penalties, a reduction in the charges, or even the dismissal of your case.

To talk about your Ventura criminal charges in a free and confidential legal consultation, call The Law Offices of Bamieh & De Smeth, PLC right away at (805) 643-5555.