Superior Court of Los Angeles

Introduction:

The superior court of Los Angeles is a city courthouse in Los Angeles County, California. It is located within the court of appeal Second District, and the appeal from the central state district goes to the ninth circuit United State Court of appeal. The courthouse was established in 1851. The court’s mission is to serve the community and the county people by giving equal justice access in fair, efficient, and timely manners for the resolution of cases. It has jurisdiction over criminal, small claims, probation, juvenile, appeal, mental health, civil, family, traffic, and vehicle matters. They provide online services like online payment, forms, fines, online case lookup, and many more, so it is optional to go to court for these services. This court also provides self-help for a different division. They provide interpreter services in over 200 languages with rare and indigenous dialects. They also introduced many innovative programs and projects like Teen Court. They act as a coordinator of the annual California Association of Youth Courts Conference.1,158,210 cases were filed in 2021. Thirty-Eight superior courts located in this county are:

• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – CENTRAL DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – CENTRAL DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – CENTRAL Arraignment Court
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT- Central Civil West Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT- East Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Hollywood Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT-Mental Health Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Metropolitan Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – CENTRAL JUVENILE DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Eastlake Juveline Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT–Edmund D. Edelman Children’s Court
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Inglewood Juvenile Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Los Padrinos Juvenile Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Sylmar Juvenile Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – EAST DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Pomona Courthouse South
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – West Covina Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – NORTH CENTRAL DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Glendale Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – NORTH VALLEY DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – San Fernando Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Santa Clarita Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – NORTHEAST DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Pasadena Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – NORTHWEST DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Van Nuys Courthouse West
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – SOUTH CENTRAL DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – SOUTH DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – SOUTHWEST DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Torrance Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – WEST DISTRICT
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Beverly Hills Courthouse
• LOS ANGELES COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT – Santa Monica Courthouse

How to search for cases?

Los Angeles Superior Court case search can be done online by using the case number. Write your case number and add it if you know the filing courthouse. The information against the case number will be displayed. The court maintains all the records online, in files, or in a database. Some Case searches can also be done using the full name, but it takes cost and must be a login. The fees scheduled for case search using the name for register and guest user are available online. You have to pay, and then the information will be given to you. Ticket or driver’s license numbers can also search traffic cases. Some records are unavailable; if the information does not come, the case records will be removed or confidential and cannot be displayed online. You have to go to the court or give a record request for these documents, and then the court will decide whether to provide that information. The fee for each document per page is $0.50, which is mandatory. More information about that division’s case search is available; you can read them if you need guidance.

How to make a payment?

Los Angeles Court traffic tickets and other acceptable payments can be made in the following ways:

· In-Person:

A person can pay for tickets and fines by visiting the court during regular court hours and paying in cash, checks, or with a card at the court payment office. Take your ticket and citation number with you when you come for payment. 2% surcharges will be applied if you make payment with a credit card. 

· Online: 

Online payments can be made using the Los Angeles County Online payment Portal https://lacounty.gov/services/pay/. Enter the case, citation, or traffic ticket number. Your case information with the amount of the fine will be displayed. Select the payment option and pay the amount online.

· Mail: 

A Person can send a certified check or money order to the court’s mailing address;  5925 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, United States. Cash or personal checks are not acceptable in the mail; only certified checks or money orders are accepted. Remember to write your citation, name, case number, and account number when you send the payment, and mail the amount in a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want a receipt.

· Phone:

Payment can also be made by calling the court and following the procedure they told you.

How can I resolve my traffic ticket citation?

Los Angeles County Traffic Court handles all the traffic matters in which the enforcement officer gives you a citation or ticket. If you receive a traffic ticket citation, then it can be resolved in the following ways if the mandatory appearance is not required:

• Resolve it using the online service https://www.lacourt.org/online/traffic. Some traffic matters are resolved using this seriously without talking to the clerk.
• Some traffic matters are resolved by calling the traffic call center at 213-633-6300 and talking with the clerk during working hours.
• Make an appointment for an in-person clerk office service.
• Schedule a court hearing and appear before a judge 
• Request for a declaration trial
• License removing hold if your license is suspended due to not paying the fine on time
• Pay the total fine and close the case.

You can also request an interpreter if you appear before a judge for the case.

How can small claim cases be filled?

Los Angeles County Small Claims court handles all the matters in which the claim is up to $10,000. They can solve cases very quickly and inexpensively. The small claim case can be filled by filling out the form and adding the information about yourself, the defendant, the amount, and the reason for your claim. The information on the website shows where to file the case according to your matter and claim you had to file your matter in that county court; otherwise, the case will be dismissed without any prejudice. Contact the small claim advisor before filing the case; they help you with all the detail and the court location where you had to file the case.

How can an appeal be filed?

The Los Angeles Court of Appeals handles all the matters in which a person appeals against the case’s result. The appellate division reviews the decision from the court and then gives their order on the case. Four judges are assigned to the appeal panel. The information on the website shows where to file for appeal according to your case; otherwise, the case will be dismissed without any prejudice if you filled in any wrong county court. The fee schedule for all case appeals is available online; you must pay that amount when filing for the case.

How can divorce be filed in this court? 

Los Angeles family division handles divorce and legal separation matters. Two types of divorce can be done in this court: Contested and Uncontested. You can file for divorce by filling out the form and submitting the necessary documents within time. Self- Help facility is available in divorce cases for those who cannot afford an attorney or lawyer.

The mental health division provides which types of facilities?

The Los Angeles mental health Division gives service to people that are facing mental illness. It is the only court in California that has a division for health and mental problems. They also provide a program that includes:

• Court Liaison Program
• Mental Health Advocacy Service Self-Help Information

FAQ: