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East County Regional Center, El Cajon: Criminal Cases in East County


The East County Regional Center at 250 East Main Street, El Cajon, CA 92020 hears criminal cases, along with family cases, civil harassment and elder or dependent adult abuse restraining orders, and juvenile dependency. The building is shared with the Sheriff, Probation and the District Attorney (sdcourt.ca.gov).

Where criminal business is handled

  • Criminal and traffic business office: 1st floor. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Criminal filing and records: (619) 456-4100 (Criminal Business Offices).
  • The court’s directions use the Magnolia Avenue exit from I-8 in either direction, then a turn onto East Main Street.

Which cases go to El Cajon

On the court’s ZIP-code list (SDSC ADM-254, rev. 1/25), East Division ZIP codes include El Cajon (92019, 92021), La Mesa (91941–91944), Lemon Grove (91945), Santee (92071), Spring Valley (91977, 91978), Lakeside (92040) and Alpine (91901).

For information about the Sheriff’s Las Colinas facility in Santee, see our Las Colinas Detention Facility page.

How a San Diego Superior Court felony case usually moves

  • Arraignment. A person arrested and held in custody must be taken before a judge without unnecessary delay, and within 48 hours after arrest, not counting Sundays and holidays (Penal Code § 825).
  • Preliminary hearing. In a felony case, both sides are entitled to a preliminary examination within 10 court days of the arraignment or plea, whichever is later, unless the time is waived (Penal Code § 859b).
  • Trial time limits. A felony case must generally be brought to trial within 60 days after arraignment on the information, unless the defendant agrees to a later date (Penal Code § 1382).

Related pages

Talk to the office

The Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC is at The Bajaj Building, 2150 First Avenue, Suite 200, San Diego, CA 92101. Vikas Bajaj has nearly 25 years of experience and personally handles each client’s case. Call (619) 525-7005 or use the contact form.

Attorney advertising. This page is general information about court locations and procedure, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Court addresses, hours and phone numbers come from the court websites linked on this page; confirm them with the court before you go, because courts change them. Every case is different, and no particular result can be promised.

What happens next

  1. Call or send the form. Reach the office at (619) 525-7005 or use the contact form.
  2. A confidential consultation with Vikas. You speak directly with attorney Vikas Bajaj about your situation.
  3. A plan for your case. You leave with a clear plan for the next steps.