The Criminal Division
processes misdemeanor and felony complaints.
Examples of misdemeanor
crimes include: driving with a suspended driver's license, driving
under the influence, petty theft, and drunk in public. The maximum
punishment for a misdemeanor crime can be a year in a county jail, a fine
not exceeding $1,000.00, or by both.
Examples of felony
crimes include: possession of drugs, assault with a deadly weapon,
burglary, or murder. The maximum punishment for a felony crime can
be imprisonment in a state prison or county jail, pay a fine, or by both;
in some cases the death penalty may be imposed.
Criminal Court Locations
Riverside Hall of Justice
4100 Main Street
Riverside, Ca. 92501
951.955.4600
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Southwest Justice Center
30755-D Auld Road
Murrieta, Ca. 92563
951.304.5000
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Larson Justice Center
46200 Oasis Street
Indio, Ca. 92201
760.863.8206
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Banning Court
135 N. Alessandro Road
Banning, Ca. 92220
951.922.7145
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
Blythe Court
265 N. Broadway
Blythe, Ca. 92225
760.921.7828
Business Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Map and Driving Directions
COURT APPEARANCE
Court
appearances are mandatory on criminal misdemeanor and felony cases.
Extensions will not be granted. You must appear at the Court on the date
and time as directed on your release paper or arraignment letter.
WARNING: Failure to appear may result in a warrant for your arrest.
On
your court date, check the posted court calendar for your name and
courtroom. If your name is on a calendar, go directly to the courtroom.
If not, report to the Criminal Clerk’s Office. Be prepared to provide
identification and information on the arrest or alleged offense, including
jail release paperwork, notice to appear, bail or bond receipts, or
arraignment letter.
If
you are currently on probation and need to appear in court you may do so
at the court where you received your sentence.
ARRAIGNMENT HEARING
The
arraignment is the first court appearance.
A
Judicial Officer informs the defendant/attorney of the following:
-
Alleged Charges
-
Constitutional Rights
A
copy of the accusatory pleading is provided to the defendant/attorney.
The defendant/attorney will enter a plea of:
-
Not Guilty - the
defendant states he/she did not commit the crime. The case will be
set for a future hearing.
-
Guilty - the
defendant admits that he/she did commit the crime.
-
No Contest - the
defendant will not contest the charge. The plea has the same
effect as a guilty plea except the conviction cannot be used against the
defendant in a civil suit.
INCUSTODY
INFORMATION
All persons incustody may
be held for forty-eight hours not including weekends and court holidays.
Incustody hearings are heard in:
- Riverside -
Misdemeanors at 1:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday
Felony Drug Cases at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Felony and Misdemeanor Domestic Violence cases at 1:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday
Felony Non-Drug Cases at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Indio -
Misdemeanors at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Felony Drug Cases at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Felony Non-Drug Cases at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Murrieta -
Misdemeanors at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Felony Drug Cases at 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
Felony Non-Drug Cases at 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday
- Banning -
Misdemeanor and Felony cases at 1:30
p.m. Monday through Friday
- Blythe
Misdemeanor and Felony cases at 1:30
p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11:00 a.m. Friday's
When arriving at the court
please check the posted, 'Incustody' calendar for the department where the
defendant will be heard.
FAILURE TO APPEAR
If the defendant does in
court as required, the court can order any, or all of the following
actions:
- Forfeiture of bail or
bond.
- Issuance of a warrant.
- Suspension of the
defendant's drivers license.
- An additional violation
alleging a failure to appear. The punishment for this violation
can be an additional jail term and/or a fine.
- Impose an additional
$300.00 assessment pursuant to Penal Code Section 1214.1.
WARRANT INFORMATION
To appear on a warrant you
must report to the Criminal Division of the court by 7:30 a.m. which
ordered the warrant.
Court Locations
COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL
At the arraignment, if the defendant wants to be
represented by an attorney, but cannot afford one, a request may be made
for a court appointed attorney. If the court determines the defendant
meets the qualifications, an attorney will be appointed.
When the court appoints a
public defender,
or other counsel, a determination may be made of the defendant's ability
to pay fees for services. If the court determines the defendant has the
ability to pay, an order will be made to pay all or part of the costs.
Such an order has the same force and effect as a civil judgment.
PAYMENT OF FINES
Fines are due on the date set by the court. For your convenience,
payments may be made by mail, in person, or by phone. The court
accepts:
- Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card. To make a credit card
payments by phone call during business hours.
Court Telephone Numbers
- Debit cards with the Visa logo are accepted.
- Personal checks, money orders, traveler's and cashier's checks.
Checks and money orders should be payable to the 'Clerk of the Court.'
To ensure your payment is credited to your case(s), include case
number(s). All checks must be preprinted with makers name and
address.
- Cash (DO NOT MAIL CASH)
Court Mailing Addresses
BAIL REFUNDS
Refunds on cash bail are processed automatically upon court order.
It takes approximately 6 - 8 weeks from the date of the court order to
receive your refund. The Riverside Superior Court will mail the
refund check payable to the depositor named on the bail receipt.
HOW TO REQUEST COPIES
Request for copies may be made in person in the Criminal Division at
the court where the case is filed.
The fee for copies is $.50 per page. If certification is
requested, an additional $15.00 per document will be assessed.
Please provide the following information:
- Defendant's name
- Case number
- Date of birth (if known)
- Specific documents requested
To request copies by mail, submit a check payable to the 'Clerk of the
Court.' DO NOT SEND CASH. If the total amount is
unknown, indicate under the amount line 'not to exceed $25.00.' The
correct amount will be filled in and a receipt will be forwarded, along
with the requested copies. All checks must be preprinted with makers
name and address. Copy orders are filled within 7 - 10 working days.
Please include a self addressed, stamped envelope large enough to
accommodate the request.
FORMS
MORE INFORMATION
Affiliated Agencies
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- I have a court hearing, where do I go?
When you arrive at the court check the posted calendar to determine
which courtroom you should go to. If your name is not on the
calendar report to the clerk's office.
- Do I have to go to court?
Yes, if a case has been filed with the court you must appear in court.
Failure to do so will result in the issuance of a warrant for your arrest.
- Can I get an extension on my case from the clerk's office?
No, you, or your attorney, must appear in court to request an
extension/continuance.
- Can I make a payment over the phone?
Yes. Payments may be accepted over the telephone with a valid
credit card.
- How do I get a Public Defender?
You may request a Public Defender from the Judge, at your first
appearance in court, the arraignment hearing.
- Can I tell the Judge some information for my friend because they
have difficulty with English?
No. A court interpreter will be available to assist in any
language translation.
- Do you have electronic withdrawal for payments made to the court?
No.
- Can I speak to my friend, who is in custody, in the courtroom?
No. Visitation with defendants who are in custody are to be arranged at
the jail facilities.
- I've been convicted of a crime and I have completed my probation.
Where can I get the Petition and Order for Expungement pursuant to 1203.4/1203.4(a)
PC?
For information on how to petition the court
click here.
Petition and Order for Expungement form.
Please note there is
a $60.00 fee to file this document.
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