Los Angeles County Superior Court
Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center
A complete criminal-defense guide to Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center — hours, divisions, parking, what to expect at your appearance, and how Daniel S. Rubin of Rubin Law, P.C. defends cases filed here. Call (213) 723-2337 for a free consultation, 24/7.
Courthouse At a Glance
Everything you need before your appearance
About This Courthouse
About Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center
The Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center is the primary juvenile court for the San Fernando Valley, hearing Welfare and Institutions Code §602 delinquency petitions and §300 dependency matters for minors from Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Reseda, Burbank, Glendale, Chatsworth, and the greater Valley. LAPD Valley Bureau, Burbank PD, Glendale PD, and LA County Sheriff Malibu/Lost Hills file the majority of cases here. The court emphasizes rehabilitation, diversion to DEJ (WIC §790), and non-custodial dispositions where the law permits. It is co-located with the Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall referral track.
As part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court system, Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center operates under California law and the LA Superior Court's local rules. Cases here are prosecuted by the Los Angeles County District Attorney (felonies and county misdemeanors) or the Chatsworth branch of the City Attorney (city-code misdemeanors). Every case follows the same core sequence — arraignment, pretrial or preliminary hearing, motions, and either negotiated resolution or trial.
Knowing this courthouse — its judges, its DAs, its filing habits — is a concrete advantage. Daniel S. Rubin appears at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center regularly and knows how cases actually move through this specific building.
Hours & Visitor Info
Before You Visit Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center
Plan around the courthouse's operating hours, holiday closures, and security screening. Missing calendar call can result in a bench warrant — arrive early and prepared.
Regular Business Hours
| Department | Days | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Clerk's Office | Mon – Fri | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Courtroom Calendars | Mon – Fri | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Criminal Filings | Mon – Fri | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Traffic Window | Mon – Fri | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Civil / Small Claims | Mon – Fri | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Weekend & Holiday Closures
Closed weekends and all court-observed holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- Presidents' Day
- César Chávez Day
- Memorial Day
- Juneteenth
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Indigenous Peoples' Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day & the following Friday
- Christmas Day
If a holiday falls on a weekend, the courthouse observes the closure on the nearest weekday.
Arrive 30–45 minutes early
Security screening lines back up before 8:30 AM. Late arrivals can miss calendar call and be marked as a failure to appear.
Bring valid photo ID
A driver's license, state ID, or passport is required. Bring your citation, release paperwork, and any court notices.
Dress appropriately
Business casual is expected in the courtroom. No hats, tank tops, shorts, or clothing with offensive graphics.
Leave weapons and vape pens at home
Sheriff's deputies screen everything. Prohibited items — including cannabis and pocket knives — will be confiscated.
Getting There
Directions, Parking & Transit
Parking around Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center fills quickly on hearing days. Here's what to expect for driving, transit, and rideshare drop-off.
Parking
Free surface lot on the west side of the facility (entrance on Zelzah Ave). Overflow street parking on Superior St (unlimited).
Overflow: nearby paid structures and metered street parking. Watch posted signs — enforcement is strict, and residential permit zones will tow.
Public Transit & Rideshare
Metro Bus lines 158, 244 stop on Devonshire St and Zelzah Ave (0.4 mi). Metrolink Chatsworth Station is 2 mi west (Metro Bus 158 connects).
Uber and Lyft drop-off is typically permitted at the main entrance. Rideshare is often the fastest option if you're not carrying documents that require secure custody.
From Downtown Los Angeles
Take surface streets or the 101/110 freeways. Traffic peaks between 7:30–9:00 AM on weekdays — leave extra time.
From The Westside
The 10 East is the main corridor. Consider Metro to avoid the parking crunch on hearing days.
From The San Fernando Valley
Take the 101 or 405 South. Sepulveda Pass slows dramatically before 9:00 AM — Metro's Orange/G Line is a reliable alternative.
Departments & Case Types
Which Calendar Will Hear Your Case
Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center operates the following criminal calendars. Knowing which department your case is on tells you what to expect and who the players are.
Juvenile Delinquency
This calendar handles a specific class of criminal matters for cases filed at this courthouse.
- Arraignments
- Pretrial hearings
- Case dispositions
Juvenile Dependency
This calendar handles a specific class of criminal matters for cases filed at this courthouse.
- Arraignments
- Pretrial hearings
- Case dispositions
Practice Areas
Charges Commonly Filed at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center
Rubin Law, P.C. defends the full range of state charges filed here — from first-time misdemeanors to serious felonies. Below are the case types we handle most often at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center, with the California code sections that drive charging and sentencing decisions.
VC 23152(a)/(b) — first offense, high-BAC, refusals, and felony DUI with injury.
HS 11350/11377 possession, sales, transportation, and PC 1000 diversion eligibility.
PC 273.5 and 243(e)(1) — protective orders, no-contact issues, and firearm bans.
PC 240 simple assault through PC 245 assault with a deadly weapon (strike exposure).
PC 242 battery, PC 243(d) with serious injury, and battery on a peace officer.
Strike offenses under PC 667.5(c) and 1192.7(c) — prison exposure and gang allegations.
PC 261, 288, 290 registration cases — investigations, pretext calls, and trial defense.
Fraud, embezzlement (PC 503), forgery, and identity theft (PC 530.5).
PC 187 murder, PC 192 manslaughter, and PC 189 special-circumstance allegations.
PC 211 robbery and PC 215 carjacking — strike offenses with mandatory prison exposure.
PC 1203.3 revocation hearings, new-case allegations, and reinstatement strategy.
Bench and arrest warrant recalls, walk-throughs, and PC 1043 appearances.
WIC 602 delinquency, informal supervision, and sealing under WIC 786.
PC 1203.4 dismissals, PC 17(b) felony reductions, and Prop 47 reclassifications.
Don't see your charge? Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center hears the full spectrum of California Penal, Health & Safety, and Vehicle Code violations. If you were cited, arrested, or notified of charges filed here, call (213) 723-2337 for a confidential case review — we'll tell you the likely department, the assigned DA unit, and what the first appearance will look like.
Your Court Appearance
What to Expect at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center
Every criminal case in LA County moves through the same four stages. Here's what each one looks like — and where a defense attorney makes the biggest difference.
Arraignment
Your first appearance. The charges are read, a plea is entered, and the court sets bail or considers release on own recognizance. Having counsel here matters — a well-prepared bail argument can be the difference between going home and remaining in custody.
Bail Review & Custody Status
If bail is set, the defense can move for a bail reduction under PC 1275. For felonies, the court weighs public safety, flight risk, and community ties. We prepare a release plan the judge can actually approve.
Preliminary Hearing or Pretrial
Felonies get a preliminary hearing — the prosecution must show probable cause. Misdemeanors move through pretrial conferences and motion practice (PC 1538.5 suppression, Pitchess, discovery). Most cases resolve here.
Trial or Negotiated Disposition
If no acceptable resolution is reached, the case is set for jury trial. We push for dismissals, reductions to misdemeanors (PC 17(b)), diversion, or trial when the evidence is weak.
Local Advantage
How Daniel S. Rubin Defends Cases at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center
Local knowledge isn't a marketing line — it's how cases get resolved. Here's what regular appearances at this courthouse translate into for our clients.
Knows the prosecutors
We know which DAs will negotiate diversion, which will fight every reduction, and how to frame a case so the right deputy signs off.
Familiar with the judges
Every judge has a different tolerance for motions, sentencing patterns, and pretrial release. We calibrate the strategy to the actual bench.
Local procedure
From bail packets to Pitchess motions, we know what this courthouse expects — filed the right way, on the right calendar.
Free Consultation · 24/7
Your case is at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center. Let's talk today.
Daniel S. Rubin personally handles every consultation. No intake gauntlet — you talk to the attorney who will appear on your case.
Custody & Transfers
Nearby Jails & Holding Facilities
If a defendant is not released after arrest, they're typically held or transferred to one of the LA County facilities below. Custody status affects arraignment location and timing.
Barry J. Nidorf Juvenile Hall
16350 Filbert St, Sylmar, CA 91342
LA County Probation's primary juvenile detention facility for the San Fernando Valley and northern county.
Central Juvenile Hall
1605 Eastlake Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033
LA County Probation's downtown juvenile detention facility for Central, East, and South LA. Adjacent to the Eastlake Juvenile Courthouse.
Campus Kilpatrick
427 Encinal Canyon Rd, Malibu, CA 90265
LA County Probation's rehabilitation-focused secure youth camp, following the LA Model of small-group programming.
10 — FAQs
Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center — Frequently Asked
Where is Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center located?
Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center is located at 17422 Superior St, Chatsworth, CA 91311. Main line: (818) 576-5000. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
What types of criminal cases are heard at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center?
Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center handles juvenile delinquency, juvenile dependency matters filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney and City Attorney.
Where do I park at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center?
Free surface lot on the west side of the facility (entrance on Zelzah Ave). Overflow street parking on Superior St (unlimited). Public transit: Metro Bus lines 158, 244 stop on Devonshire St and Zelzah Ave (0.4 mi). Metrolink Chatsworth Station is 2 mi west (Metro Bus 158 connects).
How do I check my court date at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center?
Court dates appear on your citation or release paperwork. You can also look up your case on the Los Angeles Superior Court's public case-access portal or call the courthouse clerk. If you're represented by Rubin Law, P.C., we track every calendar date for you.
What happens if I miss my court date?
The judge can issue a bench warrant and, for felonies, forfeit any bail posted. If you missed a date, call (213) 723-2337 immediately — we can often walk in the warrant and get you back on calendar without a new arrest.
What is the difference between an arraignment and a preliminary hearing?
The arraignment is where charges are formally read and a plea is entered. A preliminary hearing is only in felony cases — the prosecution must present enough evidence for a judge to hold you to answer for trial. Both are critical stages where an experienced defense attorney matters.
Does Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center hear federal cases?
No. Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center is part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court and handles state charges only. Federal cases are heard at the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
Do I need an attorney for my first appearance?
Yes. The arraignment sets the tone for the entire case — bail, custody status, and early negotiations all start here. Daniel S. Rubin appears regularly at Alfred J. McCourtney Juvenile Justice Center and can be in court on short notice. Call (213) 723-2337 for a free consultation.
LA County Court System
Other Los Angeles County Courthouses
Cases can be transferred, refiled, or move between branch and central courthouses. Explore other locations in the LA Superior Court system.
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