| Q: Where do I park as a witness in a criminal case? |
| Q: Who will be with me in court when I testify? |
| Q: What is the maximum sentence the defendant can receive in my case? |
| Q: Can the courtroom be closed to the public if a victim requests it? |
| Q: I am a witness on a case. Do I need to come to court each day? |
| Q: I am supposed to come to court to testify but am afraid of the defendant. Will I be able to testify by way of a one way mirror or a videotaped interview? |
| Q: I want to find out which prison an inmate is located and when he or she will be released. Whom should I contact? |
| Q: Can I talk to Tony Rackauckas? I think hes the person who is working on my case? |
| Q: I think I have been cheated by a contractor, tradesman, shopkeeper, or other person who provides labor or services. Can the DAs office help me? |
| Q: If I get a subpoena, do I have to go to court? |
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| Q: Where do I park as a witness in a criminal case? |
| A: See the Maps and Directions link on the Resources section of this site to get directions to the courthouses. Free parking is generally accessible at most courthouses. At the Central Justice Center and the Lamoreaux Juvenile Justice Center, the Victim/Witness Assistance Program Office will validate your parking. However, any parking citations issued to you are your responsibility. |
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| Q: Who will be with me in court when I testify? |
| A: You may bring friends or relatives with you to court, and they may be allowed to sit in the courtroom while you testify, unless they are also witnesses. Witnesses testify one at a time and generally wait outside the courtroom for their turn. A Victim/Witness Advocate may also be with you, at your request. |
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| Q: What is the maximum sentence the defendant can receive in my case? |
| A: In most cases, the judge has wide discretion to impose a fair sentence on the defendant, up to the maximum available exposure for a defendant's conviction. The maximum sentence available will depend on the type and number of charges or counts filed by the District Attorney. Most misdemeanor charges carry a maximum jail sentence of either six months or one year, and/or a fine of $1,000. Most felony charges carry a maximum prison sentence of three years per count, though serious or violent felonies have a much longer maximum sentence. |
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| Q: Can the courtroom be closed to the public if a victim requests it? |
| A: In general, the law requires that courtrooms remain open to the public. In a few unique types of cases, the courtroom may be closed at the prosecutors request with the permission of the judge. |
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| Q: I am a witness on a case. Do I need to come to court each day? |
| A: No. If you call the number listed on the subpoena to be placed "on call", you will not have to come to court until needed. |
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| Q: I am supposed to come to court to testify but am afraid of the defendant. Will I be able to testify by way of a one way mirror or a videotaped interview? |
| A: You do need to be in court to be questioned by both the prosecutor and the defense attorney. Please be assured that you will be accompanied at all times by a Victim Witness Advocate. The Advocate will assist you throughout the court process up to and including sentencing, and then follow up with counseling and other support services by way of referrals. The defendant is prohibited from having any direct contact with you. The courtroom also has law enforcement officer(s) who provide(s) security. |
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| Q: I want to find out which prison an inmate is located and when he or she will be released. Whom should I contact? |
| A: You may contact the California Department of Corrections and Rehibilitation's Prison Inmate Locator at (916) 445-6713. |
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| Q: Can I talk to Tony Rackauckas? I think hes the person who is working on my case? |
| A: Mr. Rackauckas is the elected District Attorney of Orange County and, as such, his name appears on most court documents and office correspondence above the name of the prosecutor who prepared the document. Therefore, the person who is working on your case is most likely the person who actually signed the court document or DAs Office correspondence. Please contact the deputy district attorney who is handling the case or a Victim/Witness Advocate. |
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| Q: I think I have been cheated by a contractor, tradesman, shopkeeper, or other person who provides labor or services. Can the DAs office help me? |
| A: The DAs Consumer Protection Unit may be able to help, or they may refer you to an agency that can help you. You should send your complaint in writing to: Orange County District Attorney, Consumer Protection Division, 401 Civic Center Drive West, Santa Ana, CA 92701. To contact the division by phone: (714)834-3600. |
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| Q: If I get a subpoena, do I have to go to court? |
| A: Yes. A subpoena is an order of the court. You must go to court unless the court or the party who caused the subpoena to be issued excuses you. If you fail to appear, the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest. Please bring your subpoena with you when you come to court. In some cases, the party who caused the subpoena to be issued may put you on call so you can go to work or school on the day you are subpoenaed. You will be called at a pre-arranged telephone number an hour or so before you are needed in court. If you are placed on call, you must be available to testify in court within thirty minutes to an hour. To request an on call status, call the telephone number on your subpoena immediately. |
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