What should I expect at the Imperial County Courthouse?

The main Imperial County courthouse for criminal cases is the El Centro Criminal Courthouse, 650 Wake Ave, El Centro, where felony cases are heard. Two of the six criminal judges sit at the El Centro Courthouse on West Main Street, and misdemeanor complaints can be filed at either building, so your notice or release papers say where to appear.

This guide is part of our statewide California courthouse and jail directory, covering counties across the state. For custody, bail and visiting at the jail, see the Imperial County Jail guide.

Which courthouse hears a criminal case in Imperial County?

Felony cases are heard at the El Centro Criminal Courthouse on Wake Avenue; the criminal division's six judges sit there and at the El Centro Courthouse on West Main Street.

The court's Local Rules assign four of its six criminal judges to the El Centro Criminal Courthouse on Wake Avenue and two to the El Centro Courthouse on West Main Street (Local Rule 2.3(a)). Felony complaints are filed at either building and heard at Wake, where felony defendants are arraigned and preliminary hearings are held; misdemeanor complaints, in custody or not, are filed at Wake or Main (Local Rule 4.1.0). Check the notice or release papers for the building and department. The Criminal Court Clerk's Office can be reached at (760) 482-2245 or crimrecords@imperial.courts.ca.gov. Winterhaven Court, far to the east of El Centro near the Arizona border, has its own criminal contact number, (760) 336-3550, but criminal misdemeanor matters from that area are filed in El Centro (Local Rule 4.1.0(a)).

How do you look up an Imperial County criminal case online?

Imperial County Superior Court offers two separate case-search tools: a free lookup by case number, and a paid account for a name search.

1. For a free search by case number, use the court's Case Lookup tool. Confidential and sealed cases will not appear.
2. For a search by name, you need an online account through the court's Record Searches portal. A name search returns a list of matching case numbers and filing dates, and there is a fee for each search.
3. Neither tool allows a search by date of birth or driver's license number, under California Rules of Court rule 2.507.
4. If a case does not appear in either tool, contact the court to ask about public availability.

What happens at your first court appearance?

At arraignment, the judge tells you the charge and your right to a lawyer; for someone held in custody, California law sets a deadline for reaching that first hearing.

Penal Code section 825(a)(1) requires that "the defendant shall in all cases be taken before the magistrate without unnecessary delay, and, in any event, within 48 hours after his or her arrest, excluding Sundays and holidays." If those 48 hours end while court is not in session, the deadline extends through the close of the next session the court holds on the following court day (Penal Code section 825(a)(2)). For an arrest on a Wednesday after that day's court session has ended, the deadline is the following Friday, if neither day is a court holiday. This is a deadline for reaching a judge, not a charging deadline.

State law requires the judge to announce the charge against you right away and confirm your right to a lawyer at every stage that follows (Penal Code section 858(a)). On a felony, you are also handed a copy of the complaint, asked whether you want counsel, and given a reasonable chance to arrange it (Penal Code section 859).

Imperial County Superior Court's Felony and Misdemeanor Bail Schedule 2026 is adopted under Penal Code section 1269b(c) and covers both felony and misdemeanor offenses; it prints no separate effective date, and the court accepts payment in United States funds only. A schedule amount is only a starting point. Once a judge sets bail at an appearance, the judge's amount controls (Penal Code section 1269b(b)). Under In re Humphrey (2021), a judge who sets money bail must consider the person's ability to pay, and whether nonfinancial conditions could reasonably protect the public and the victim or reasonably assure the person's return to court, and in April 2026 the California Supreme Court held in In re Kowalczyk that in noncapital cases bail may be denied only for the offenses in article I, section 12(b) and (c) of the California Constitution, and that money bail "must generally be set in an amount that is reasonably attainable, in order to effectuate the defendant's constitutional right to pretrial release on bail."

For a fuller walkthrough of arraignment and bail across California, see What Happens at an Arraignment in California and Bail Hearings.

Can you appear remotely in an Imperial County criminal case?

Imperial's court offers remote appearance by Microsoft Teams for most criminal hearings, at no fee, on an early request, within state-law limits for felony cases.

Remote appearance is available for most hearings in Civil, Family, Juvenile, Probate, Traffic, and Criminal cases. There is no remote-appearance fee for criminal, traffic, or juvenile cases, or for a party with a fee waiver; other case types may carry a $25 fee under Government Code section 70630 and California Rules of Court rule 3.672. Submit the request through the court's Remote Appearances page. Its criminal section asks for requests at least three court days before the hearing, but the court's Local Rule 2.21, as amended July 1, 2026, says remote participants must register at least five business days ahead and does not allow same-day registration, so send the request at least five business days before the hearing. The court reviews each request, then sends the Teams link and schedules a test. A late request may be denied, and anyone who has no written reply from the court before the hearing date must appear in person. For questions, call (760) 482-2273 or email RemoteAppearances@imperial.courts.ca.gov. State law still applies: a person charged with a felony must be physically present at arraignment, plea, the preliminary hearing, trial evidence and sentencing unless that right is waived, and even then no trial can be remote, and no felony sentencing can be remote except for postconviction relief proceedings and as otherwise provided by law (Penal Code section 977).

What should you bring, and how do you request an interpreter?

Everyone entering an Imperial courthouse, and every bag, is screened for weapons, so leave knives, tools and pepper spray at home, and ask early for any interpreter you need.

The court's Local Rule 2.10 bars anything that could be seen as a weapon in a court building, including guns, knives, tools, sharp objects and pepper spray; an item found at screening goes back outside or is confiscated, and security staff will not hold it for you. A person charged with a crime who cannot understand English has a constitutional right to an interpreter throughout the case (Cal. Const., art. I, section 14), and in criminal actions the interpreter's pay is a charge against the court, not you (Evidence Code section 752(b)(1)). Imperial's Local Rule 4.1.15 covers an interpreter for a witness: the party or attorney notifies Court Administration at (760) 482-2250 48 hours ahead with the length of time, the day or days, the location and the language. The court's Access Center also offers family court mediation, restraining order help, and guided form filling, and links the statewide self-help center for other questions.

Who are Imperial County's public defender, district attorney, and probation department?

Imperial County has separate offices for the public defender, the district attorney, and probation, each with its own address and phone number.

The Public Defender's Office is closed to walk-in visitors, so call ahead rather than arriving in person. If you cannot afford a lawyer, ask the court to appoint the Public Defender's Office at your arraignment. Either way, the firm's criminal defense lawyer page lays out how a private attorney approaches a California criminal case from arraignment forward. Imperial County's Probation Department also handles pretrial services.

Does Imperial County have collaborative or treatment courts?

The court's own Judges page lists Department 12 for criminal, mental health and collaborative court matters, though the court's site does not describe each program.

The court's Judges page assigns Department 12 to "Criminal, mental health, collaborative courts." The court's division listing and Local Rules do not describe the individual programs or who qualifies, so ask your attorney whether a treatment-based option could apply to your case.

Imperial County's criminal cases raise many different concerns depending on the charge. See our California criminal defense practice overview for how the firm approaches each one.

Talk to a lawyer about your Imperial County case

If you or a family member has a criminal case in Imperial County, talk to a lawyer before the next court date. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley offers a free, confidential consultation, 24 hours a day, with payment plans and service in Spanish. Call (800) 755-5174, or request a free consultation online.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Winterhaven court open every day?

No. Winterhaven Court, 2124 Winterhaven Dr., is open Tuesday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., closed from 11:00 a.m. to noon, and closed on Mondays and Fridays.

What if my case does not show up in the Case Lookup tool?

Confidential and sealed cases are not on the portal. If a search does not find the case, the court asks you to contact it about public availability; the Criminal Court Clerk's Office is at (760) 482-2245.

How much is bail in Imperial County?

Imperial County Superior Court's Felony and Misdemeanor Bail Schedule 2026, adopted under Penal Code section 1269b(c), sets a starting amount. A judge can set a different amount at arraignment, and money bail must generally be reasonably attainable for that person.

How do I get copies of Imperial County criminal records?

Make a criminal copy request through the court's Contact the Court page, or email crimrecords@imperial.courts.ca.gov. Phone and live chat help run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Do I need a lawyer at my first court appearance?

It is your right. The judge must tell you about your right to counsel at your Imperial County arraignment and every stage afterward (Penal Code section 858(a)). Without the means to hire one, ask the court to appoint the Public Defender's Office for you.

Does Imperial County Probation handle pretrial services?

Yes. The Probation Department lists pretrial services among its responsibilities, along with juvenile and adult services. Its office is at 324 Applestill Road, El Centro, phone (442) 265-2379.

What happens if I miss my Imperial County court date?

Failing to appear as required lets the court issue a bench warrant (Penal Code section 978.5(a)). Reach your attorney immediately, whether the missed date already happened or is about to.