San Diego Central Courthouse: Criminal Cases

Criminal cases filed in the San Diego Superior Court’s Central Division are heard at the Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101, with the felony business office on the 1st floor and the misdemeanor business office on the 2nd floor. The court assigns criminal cases by the ZIP code where the case arose, and the Hall of Justice at 330 West Broadway does not house the criminal business office (Criminal Business Offices).

Criminal cases filed in the San Diego Superior Court’s Central Division are heard at the Central Courthouse, 1100 Union Street, San Diego, CA 92101. The court says the building opened in late 2017 and brings the Central Division’s criminal, probate, family, appeals and administration services together in one facility (sdcourt.ca.gov).

Where criminal business is handled

Felony business office: 1st floor. Misdemeanor business office and Substance Abuse Assessment Unit: 2nd floor. Older records: 14th floor.
Business office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding court holidays. Criminal operations phone: (619) 844-2400 (Criminal Business Offices).
Not the Hall of Justice. The Hall of Justice at 330 West Broadway houses civil courtrooms, the Civil Business Office and Small Claims, not the criminal business office (Hall of Justice).

Which cases go to the Central Division

The court assigns criminal cases by the ZIP code where the case arose (SDSC ADM-254 ZIP Code List, rev. 1/25). ZIP codes on that list for the Central Division include downtown San Diego (92101), Hillcrest (92103), Point Loma (92106), Mission Valley (92108), Pacific Beach (92109), La Jolla (92037), Rancho Bernardo (92127, 92128) and Poway (92064). The same list notes two exceptions for criminal cases: cases arising in Coronado are filed in the South County Division, and cases arising in Del Mar are filed in the North County Division (San Diego Superior Court Local Rule 1.2.2(H)(2)).

For booking and visiting information about the downtown jail, see our San Diego Central Jail 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).

Federal cases are in a different courthouse

Federal charges in San Diego are heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on West Broadway, not at the Central Courthouse. See Federal Court in San Diego.

Frequently asked questions

How soon must a person in custody see a judge?

Without unnecessary delay, and within 48 hours after arrest, not counting Sundays and holidays (Penal Code § 825).

When is the 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).

Are criminal cases from Coronado or Del Mar heard at the Central Courthouse?

No. Under the court’s ZIP code assignment, criminal cases arising in Coronado are filed in the South County Division, and criminal cases arising in Del Mar are filed in the North County Division (San Diego Superior Court Local Rule 1.2.2(H)(2)).

Cities covered by our Central San Diego practice

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 personally handles each client’s case. He was admitted to the State Bar of California in December 2001, has been licensed in Texas since 2022, and is admitted to the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Central, Eastern and Northern Districts of California, the District of New Jersey, the Western District of Texas and the Eastern District of Michigan. 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. Confirm hours with the court before you go. Every case is different, and no particular result can be promised.

What happens next

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

Central Courthouse, San Diego: Criminal Cases in the Central Division