The Long Beach courthouse, the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse at 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802, hears criminal and other cases in the Los Angeles Superior Court's South District. Call the switchboard at (562) 256-3100 or the Criminal Clerk's Office, Room 1401, at (562) 256-2314.
Looking up a Long Beach case online or by phone
The court's website charges $4.75 for each defendant-name lookup, matched or not; once you have the case number, the Criminal Clerk's Office line is (562) 256-2314.
The Superior Court's criminal name search in Public Access Online Services searches by "Exact Match," "Starts With" or "Sounds Like" and holds felony records from 1980 and misdemeanor records from 1988; its FAQ says the fee applies even when nothing is found and that the court has no plans, at this time, to put bail or bond status online. The court's directory lists the Criminal Clerk's Office, Room 1401 on the first floor, at (562) 256-2314 with phone hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The firm's Los Angeles County courthouse assignment guide covers how the county decides which building takes a given arrest.
Which criminal cases does the Long Beach courthouse hear?
The South District actually has two buildings, not one: the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse here, and a separate Catalina Courthouse across the water in Avalon.
Local Rule 2.2(b) names both locations as the South District's session sites. The court opens the Catalina building one Friday a month and lists this courthouse's criminal clerk line and mailing address for it. Rule 2.3(a)(3) is what actually assigns a case: complaints go to "the courthouse handling criminal matters which serves the city or unincorporated area where the offense is alleged to have occurred," and for the city of Long Beach itself, that building is this one. The Supervising Judge of the Criminal Division retains authority to order a case filed elsewhere, or move one between districts "for the convenience of witnesses" or "to promote the ends of justice" (Rule 2.3(b)(3)), heard in Department 100 of the Central District. Outside Long Beach proper, check the citation, notice to appear, or release paperwork for the exact assignment; the firm's Los Angeles County criminal court guide covers the county's other courts.
The 48-hour rule and what arraignment covers
Someone held in custody has to see a judge inside 48 hours, Sundays and holidays aside, and arraignment is where the charge is read and a plea follows.
Penal Code 825(a)(1) sets that deadline in plain terms: "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." A deadline landing while court is out of session gets pushed under 825(a)(2), "to include the duration of the next court session on the judicial day immediately following," and the statute spells out the Wednesday scenario specifically: "when the defendant's arrest occurs on a Wednesday after the conclusion of the day's court session, and if the Wednesday is not a court holiday, the defendant shall be taken before the magistrate not later than the following Friday, if the Friday is not a court holiday." Someone cited and released, rather than held, simply follows the date printed on their own paperwork instead. The right to counsel attaches from that first appearance forward under Penal Code 858 and 859, with the plea itself governed by Penal Code 988. In a felony case, Penal Code 859b calls for the preliminary hearing within 10 court days of arraignment or plea, whichever is later, unless the defendant and the prosecution both waive that time or a continuance is granted for good cause. For trial, Penal Code 1382 allows 60 days after arraignment on the information or indictment for a felony and, for a misdemeanor, 30 days after arraignment or plea, whichever is later, for someone in custody and 45 days for everyone else, unless time is waived or the court finds good cause. The firm explains the hearing in what happens at a California arraignment, step by step.
How bail works before a Long Beach arraignment
The court's Pre-Arraignment Release Protocol sets $0 bail for many lower-level, non-violent arrests; Penal Code 1270.1 charges and enhanced charges need a scheduled amount or a hearing.
Under the court's 2026 felony bail schedule and its misdemeanor schedule, in force since January 1, 2026, Cite and Release and Book and Release mean release on a promise to appear, Magistrate Review sends the release decision to a magistrate, and capital crimes "when the facts are evident or the presumption great," along with California Constitution article I, section 12(b) and (c) offenses, have no release before arraignment. Once a judge takes up bail, In re Humphrey calls for weighing ability to pay and nonfinancial options, In re Kowalczyk (2026) allows bail to be denied in a noncapital case only when a section 12(b) or (c) offense is charged, and any money bail "must generally be set in an amount that is reasonably attainable." The firm's answer on how California bail amounts are set covers how the figure is chosen.
Appearing by video at the Long Beach courthouse
LACourtConnect reaches most, but not all, of what happens in a Long Beach criminal case; several steps still require showing up physically regardless of the platform.
In a misdemeanor-only case, Penal Code 977(a)(1) lets the defendant appear through counsel alone, and if the defendant agrees, the first appearance, arraignment, plea and all other proceedings except a jury or court trial can be held remotely. Two exceptions: a misdemeanor domestic violence or Penal Code 273.6 defendant must be present for arraignment and sentencing, and in a misdemeanor DUI the court may order the defendant's presence at arraignment, plea or sentencing. Felony cases require the defendant's physical presence at arraignment, plea, the preliminary hearing, the taking of trial evidence and sentencing (Penal Code 977(b)(1)), though a waiver under 977(c)(1)(A) allows a remote appearance at steps before trial; two limits stay fixed: "A defendant charged with a felony or misdemeanor shall not appear remotely for a jury trial or court trial," and "A defendant charged with a felony shall not appear remotely at sentencing, except for postconviction relief proceedings and as otherwise provided by law" (Penal Code 977(c)(1)(D), (E)). The Long Beach courthouse was in LACourtConnect's first criminal phase, starting June 2, 2025, which uses Microsoft Teams and needs no registration in advance; on December 8, 2025 the court added its Courtroom Preview feature there for checked-in litigants and attorneys with more than one hearing that day. To join, go to the LACourtConnect welcome page, select the Criminal litigation type, find the hearing by case number, calendar search or name, and check in a few minutes before it begins. None of this opens the hearing to onlookers: "LACC is intended solely for remote appearances by case participants, including litigants, attorneys, and witnesses. LACC is not available for public or media observation. All nonconfidential court proceedings remain open to in-person public attendance."
Entering the courthouse and when it is open
A screening station stands between the entrance and every courtroom, and the building itself keeps set weekday hours, so plan around both.
The court's countywide security order of January 2, 2025 bars items that include "Firearms, replica firearms, projectile weapons, ammunition, stun guns and tasers," "Knives, bladed or sharp instruments, needles and syringes," "Breakable containers including, but not limited to ceramic and glass," and "Illegal drugs, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia"; the order's line "Items required for medical, mobility or disability needs are exempt" applies only to the items marked with an asterisk in the order (needles and syringes, aerosols, scooters and laser pointers), so it does not reach drugs or marijuana. According to the court, "the courthouse is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the Clerk's Office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, Except Court Holidays," while Local Rule 2.16(a) sets individual courtroom sessions for 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. unless the Presiding Judge orders differently. Paid public parking is available in the structure at 101 S. Magnolia Avenue.
Who handles prosecution and defense here?
Adult misdemeanors arising in Long Beach go to the city's own prosecutor, not the county; felonies still go to the District Attorney, which keeps an office in the building.
Long Beach is one of the cities the District Attorney's own FAQ lists as excepted from its misdemeanor caseload. In their place, the Long Beach City Prosecutor's office says plainly that it "is responsible for prosecuting all adult misdemeanor crimes committed within the City of Long Beach," reachable at (562) 570-5600 from 411 West Ocean Boulevard, 8th Floor.
Offices in the Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse, from the court's directory.
| Office | Location | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| District Attorney | 3rd floor, Room 3195 | (562) 247-2000 |
| Public Defender | 2nd floor, Room 2195 | (562) 247-2500 |
| Alternate Public Defender | 2nd floor | (562) 247-2400 |
| Probation | 1st floor, Room 1985 | (562) 247-2200 |
| Sheriff's courthouse office | 1st floor | (562) 256-8291 (emergencies: call 911) |
Anyone facing arraignment without a lawyer who cannot afford one has a right to appointed counsel under Penal Code 987(a), and Government Code 27706(a) makes clear the Public Defender's representation comes "without expense to the defendant." The firm's public defender versus private attorney answer weighs that choice against hiring your own counsel.
Missing a scheduled date at this courthouse
A missed appearance can lead to a bench warrant, and a willful failure to appear meant to evade the court can be charged as a separate crime.
A bench warrant may issue after a missed appearance (Penal Code 978.5(a)), and after a signed citation without bail the magistrate "shall issue" one within 20 days (Penal Code 853.8). A person who willfully violates a written promise to appear commits a misdemeanor under Penal Code 853.7, whatever the outcome of the original charge. Someone on own-recognizance release who willfully stays away to evade the court commits a new misdemeanor, or a felony in a felony case (Penal Code 1320), and the law presumes that purpose when the willful failure lasts beyond 14 days from the assigned date; after a felony bail release, that conduct is its own felony (Penal Code 1320.5). When posted bail is followed by a failure to appear without sufficient excuse, Penal Code 1305 requires the court to declare a forfeiture in open court, though the court generally vacates it and exonerates the bond if the person appears within 180 days. For an outstanding warrant, the firm's page on what to do about a California bench warrant covers the options.
Talk to a lawyer about a Long Beach courthouse case
If you or a family member has a case headed to the Long Beach courthouse, talk to a lawyer before the court date. The Law Offices of David S. Chesley offers a free, confidential consultation, available 24 hours a day, with payment plans and service in Spanish. Call (800) 755-5174 or request a free consultation. See also the firm's Long Beach criminal defense page.
Frequently asked questions
Who prosecutes a misdemeanor arrest in Long Beach?
The Long Beach City Prosecutor's office handles adult misdemeanors arising in the city; the Los Angeles County District Attorney steps in only for felony charges from the same arrest.
Does a Catalina Island arrest come to the Long Beach courthouse?
It depends on the case. The Catalina Courthouse in Avalon hears criminal matters but opens one Friday a month; your citation or court notice names the courthouse.
How much does an online name search of a Long Beach case cost?
$4.75 per try through Public Access Online Services, charged even when the search finds nothing. With a case number already known, the Criminal Clerk's Office can be reached at (562) 256-2314.
What happens if the 48-hour deadline falls while court is closed?
The 48 hours, not counting Sundays and holidays, apply only to a person held in custody. When court is closed as they expire, Penal Code 825(a)(2) moves the deadline through the end of the next court session on the following court day; after a Wednesday arrest made once that day's session is over, the deadline is Friday, provided neither day is a court holiday.
Can my lawyer appear for me instead of showing up in person?
In a misdemeanor-only case, yes, unless it is a domestic violence or Penal Code 273.6 case, where you must attend arraignment and sentencing, or a DUI case in which the court orders you to attend. A felony needs you physically present at arraignment, plea, the preliminary hearing, trial evidence and sentencing, though a waiver can make the steps before trial remote.
How can I find out if someone is booked in the Sheriff's custody?
Use the Sheriff's online Inmate Information Center, which takes a name and date of birth, or the inmate information line, (213) 473-6100 (emergencies: call 911); a booking made in the last two hours may not be listed yet.