Newport Beach Criminal Defense Lawyers

In this article, our Newport Beach criminal defense attorneys discuss:

• 1. Who makes arrests in Newport Beach?
• 2. Where do arrestees get booked?
• 3. Where is the Newport Beach Courthouse?
• 4. Can my attorney appear in my place at court?
• 5. Can I get a public defender to represent me?
• 6. Who prosecutes criminal cases?
• 7. What crimes are common in Newport Beach?
• 8. Can I fight criminal charges without an attorney?

1. Who makes arrests in Newport Beach?

The majority of arrests are carried out by the Newport Beach Police Department (NBPD). Its headquarters are at 870 Santa Barbara Dr. And the NBPD‘s phone number is (949) 644-3681.

Police officers with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department also make some arrests in Newport Beach. Its North Operations headquarters are at 550 N. Flower Street Santa Ana, CA 92703. And the OC Sheriff’s Office phone number is (714) 647-1851.

Additionally, California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers are out in force on State Route 55 (SR 55) issuing traffic tickets and making DUI arrests. The CHP‘s Southern Division is headquartered at 411 N. Central Avenue, Glendale, CA 91203. Its phone number is (818) 240-8200.

2. Where do arrestees get booked?

Arrestees typically get booked at the Newport Beach Police Department and held in custody in its jail at 870 Santa Barbara Dr. Call the NBPD at (949) 644-3672 for inmate and bail information.

In some cases, arrestees are booked or transferred to the Orange County Central Jail Complex (CJX), which comprises the Central Men’s and Central Women’s Jail. The address is 550 N. Flower St., Santa Ana, CA 92703. For inmate information, search here. And bail information, phone the CJX at (714) 647-4666.

3. Where is the Newport Beach courthouse?

The Harbor Justice Center is located at 4601 Jamboree Rd. Criminal and Traffic Operations can be reached at (657) 622-8459.

Note that juvenile delinquency cases are handled in the Lamoreaux Justice Center at 341 The City Drive South, Orange, CA 92868 (next to Orange County Juvenile Hall). The phone number is (657) 622-6878.

4. Can my attorney appear in my place at court?

In the majority of misdemeanor cases, Newport Beach criminal defense lawyers can appear on behalf of their clients in court. However, misdemeanor defendants facing domestic violence charges may need to be present so a restraining order can be served upon them.

Meanwhile, defendants facing felony charges should expect to appear in court for most or all of their hearings even if they have a private attorney. But on a case-by-case basis, judges can agree to waive defendants’ appearances for certain minor court hearings.

5. Can I get a public defender to represent me?

Indigent defendants facing criminal charges in Newport Beach are appointed a deputy public defender with the Orange County Public Defender’s Office. But anyone who has been accused of a crime is encouraged to retain a Newport Beach criminal defense lawyer if they have the means.

Private counsel have far more time and resources to devote to each case. And in practice, OC prosecutors offer better plea deals to defendants with private legal representation.

The Orange County Public Defender’s address is 801 Civic Center Drive West, Suite 400, Santa Ana, CA 92701. They can be reached at (657) 251-6090, and their email address is [email protected].

6. Who prosecutes criminal cases?

Criminal defendants in Newport Beach are prosecuted by the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. The address is 300 N. Flower Street, Santa Ana, California 92703. And the phone number is (714) 834-3600.

Unlike other district attorneys in southern California, the OC District Attorney is notoriously conservative. Its team of prosecutors routinely overcharge, resist fair plea bargains, and push for the harshest punishments. That is another reason why all defendants should consider hiring private counsel to fight fire with fire.

7. What crimes are common Newport Beach?

The Orange County courts routinely hear cases involving:

• Auto theft (PC 487d1),
• Domestic violence,
• Driving under the influence,
• Drug crimes, such as drug possession (HS 11350),
• Embezzlement (PC 503),
• Gang crimes (PC 186.22),
• Hit and run (VC 20002),
• Lewd conduct,
• Sex crimes, such as sexual battery (PC 243.4),
• Shoplifting (PC 459.5),
• Violent crimes, such as assault and battery (PC 242), and
• White collar crimes.

8. Can I fight criminal charges without an attorney?

Going up against an Orange County deputy district attorney without the benefit of private counsel is extremely risky. These prosecutors are infamous for coming down hard on defendants with trumped-up charges and lengthy sentence recommendations. But a skilled Newport Beach criminal defense lawyer has the training and experience to coax the most recalcitrant prosecutors into substantially lessening or possibly dropping criminal charges.

Have you or a loved one been arrested? Our Newport Beach criminal defense lawyers – which include former prosecutors – have years of experience fighting to get charges reduced or dismissed.

Contact the law offices of Shouse Law Group to discuss how we fight to achieve the best possible outcome in your case. Our OC criminal defense lawyers create attorney-client relationships throughout northern, central, and southern California. Our Newport Beach DUI attorneys handle each aspect of our clients’ DUI cases, including the criminal charge as well as the DMV hearing. And our practice areas also include criminal record expungements and personal injury in addition to criminal defense law.

Our Newport Beach criminal law attorneys and DUI lawyers also serve Big Canyon, East Bluff, Harbor View, Newport Shores, Dover Shores, Bay Shores, Lido Village, Promontory Point, Belcourt, Harbor Ridge, Balboa Peninsula, Newport Heights, Lido Isle, Balboa Island, Bay Island, Collins Island, Harbor Island, Linda Isle, Newport Island, Corona del Mar, Newport Coast, San Joaquin Hills, Fullerton, and Santa Ana Heights. In addition, our Super Lawyers- and AVVO-rated attorneys serve Costa Mesa, Irvine, Los Angeles County, Riverside, Laguna Beach, San Diego, Tustin, San Bernardino, Huntington Beach, Westminster and more.