Los Angeles County Superior Court
Van Nuys Courthouse East
A complete criminal-defense guide to Van Nuys Courthouse East — 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 Van Nuys Courthouse East
Van Nuys Courthouse East is one of the busiest criminal courts in Los Angeles County and the primary felony/misdemeanor court for the central and southern San Fernando Valley. It serves Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, North Hollywood, Reseda, Encino, Studio City, Tarzana, Panorama City, Winnetka, and Canoga Park. The court hosts dedicated departments for DUI, domestic violence, and gang-enhancement cases under PC §186.22. LAPD Valley Bureau — including Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Foothill, Devonshire, West Valley, Mission, and Topanga divisions — files here, and the court processes thousands of arraignments, preliminary hearings, and jury trials annually.
As part of the Los Angeles County Superior Court system, Van Nuys Courthouse East 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 Van Nuys 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 Van Nuys Courthouse East regularly and knows how cases actually move through this specific building.
Hours & Visitor Info
Before You Visit Van Nuys Courthouse East
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 Van Nuys Courthouse East fills quickly on hearing days. Here's what to expect for driving, transit, and rideshare drop-off.
Parking
Free surface lot on Delano St behind the courthouse. Paid city structure on Sylvan St (Lot 40) — $2/hour. Metered street parking on Van Nuys Blvd and Erwin St (1-hour limit, enforced 8 AM – 6 PM).
Overflow: nearby paid structures and metered street parking. Watch posted signs — enforcement is strict, and residential permit zones will tow.
Public Transit & Rideshare
Metro G (Orange) Line — Van Nuys Station (5-minute walk). Metro Bus lines 154, 156, 158, 233, 234, 236, 237, 240, 761 stop on Van Nuys Blvd and Sepulveda Blvd.
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
Van Nuys Courthouse East operates the following criminal calendars. Knowing which department your case is on tells you what to expect and who the players are.
Felony
Serious offenses punishable by state prison. Includes arraignment, bail review, preliminary hearing, and trial.
- Murder
- Robbery
- Sex crimes
- Major drug cases
Misdemeanor
Charges punishable by up to a year in county jail. Most cases resolve at arraignment or pretrial without trial.
- Petty theft
- Simple assault
- Trespassing
DUI
Dedicated DUI calendars handle first-time and repeat driving-under-the-influence charges under CVC 23152.
- First-offense DUI
- Repeat DUI
- DUI with injury
Domestic Violence
Restraining orders, PC 273.5 corporal injury, and PC 243(e)(1) domestic battery are calendared here.
- PC 273.5
- PC 243(e)(1)
- Criminal protective orders
Practice Areas
Charges Commonly Filed at Van Nuys Courthouse East
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 Van Nuys Courthouse East, 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? Van Nuys Courthouse East 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 Van Nuys Courthouse East
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 Van Nuys Courthouse East
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 Van Nuys Courthouse East. 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.
LAPD Van Nuys Community Police Station Jail
6240 Sylmar Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91401
LAPD Valley Bureau booking. In-custody defendants are transferred to Twin Towers within 24–48 hours of arrest.
Twin Towers Correctional Facility
450 Bauchet St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The primary intake and mental-health custody facility for LA County. Most in-custody male defendants transit through Twin Towers before or after arraignment.
Century Regional Detention Facility (CRDF)
11705 S Alameda St, Lynwood, CA 90262
LA County's women's jail. Female defendants in pretrial custody are housed here regardless of the arresting agency.
Service Areas
Cities Served by Van Nuys Courthouse East
Van Nuys
Criminal Defense Attorney
Arleta
Criminal Defense Attorney
Encino
Criminal Defense Attorney
Lake Balboa
Criminal Defense Attorney
North Hills
Criminal Defense Attorney
North Hollywood
Criminal Defense Attorney
Panorama City
Criminal Defense Attorney
Reseda
Criminal Defense Attorney
Sherman Oaks
Criminal Defense Attorney
Studio City
Criminal Defense Attorney
Sun Valley
Criminal Defense Attorney
Tarzana
Criminal Defense Attorney
10 — FAQs
Van Nuys Courthouse East — Frequently Asked
Where is Van Nuys Courthouse East located?
Van Nuys Courthouse East is located at 14400 Erwin St. Mall, Van Nuys, CA 91401. Main line: (818) 374-2000. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM.
What types of criminal cases are heard at Van Nuys Courthouse East?
Van Nuys Courthouse East handles felony, misdemeanor, dui, domestic violence matters filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney and City Attorney.
Where do I park at Van Nuys Courthouse East?
Free surface lot on Delano St behind the courthouse. Paid city structure on Sylvan St (Lot 40) — $2/hour. Metered street parking on Van Nuys Blvd and Erwin St (1-hour limit, enforced 8 AM – 6 PM). Public transit: Metro G (Orange) Line — Van Nuys Station (5-minute walk). Metro Bus lines 154, 156, 158, 233, 234, 236, 237, 240, 761 stop on Van Nuys Blvd and Sepulveda Blvd.
How do I check my court date at Van Nuys Courthouse East?
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 Van Nuys Courthouse East hear federal cases?
No. Van Nuys Courthouse East 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 Van Nuys Courthouse East 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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