Criminal Defense in Orange County
By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026
Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.
If you’re facing criminal charges in Orange County, your case is heard in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. California unified its trial courts, so infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies are all handled there — the District Attorney prosecutes, and the Public Defender represents those who can’t afford counsel.
The principal criminal court sits in Santa Ana, and the county also runs branch justice centers. A felony may be arraigned at one courthouse and proceed elsewhere depending on where the offense is charged, so confirm your assigned location on the court’s official website. California classifies crimes as infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies, and some offenses are “wobblers” that can be charged either way.
The local court decides where your case is heard; the substantive law lives in our statewide guides. Start with the California criminal defense hub, then read about the criminal process, DUI, or theft charges.
A criminal charge moves fast, and early steps matter. To get matched with a local criminal-defense attorney, connect with a lawyer.
Local criminal court
Court: Criminal cases in Orange County are heard in the Superior Court of California, County of Orange (criminal division), with the principal criminal court in Santa Ana. The Orange County District Attorney prosecutes the charges.
California unified its trial courts, so all criminal matters — infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies — are handled in the county Superior Court rather than any separate municipal court. Orange County operates more than one justice center, so a felony may be arraigned at one location and proceed elsewhere depending on where the offense is charged. Confirm your assigned courthouse, hours, and filing steps on the court's official website before you appear.
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Start your free intakeFrequently asked questions
- Which court hears my criminal case in Orange County?
- The Superior Court of California, County of Orange, with the principal criminal court in Santa Ana. The county also operates branch justice centers, so your location depends on where the offense is charged — verify on the court's official website.
- Who prosecutes criminal cases in Orange County?
- The Orange County District Attorney prosecutes most charges. If you can't afford an attorney, the Orange County Public Defender may be appointed to represent you.
- Is a DUI in Orange County a misdemeanor or felony?
- Most first-time DUIs are misdemeanors, but certain DUIs are felonies. Either way the case is heard in the Orange County Superior Court — see our statewide DUI guide for how the law applies.