| Q: What should I do if I suspect a sexual assault has occurred? |
| Q: What should I do if I suspect the presence of a methamphetamine laboratory? |
| Q: What should I do if I think that a child is being abused or neglected? |
| Q: What should I do if I witness a gang crime in progress? |
| Q: What will happen if a witness refuses to testify? |
| Q: Where are the TARGET units located? |
| Q: Where can I find basic information about a case and future court dates? |
| Q: Where do I park as a witness in a criminal case? |
| Q: Where is juvenile Court/Juvenile Hall/Juvenile Probation located? |
| Q: Where should I go to get legal advice on personal matters? |
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| Q: What should I do if I suspect a sexual assault has occurred? |
| A: If you believe someone is in imminent danger, you are always instructed to dial 911. If you do not believe anyone is in imminent danger, then you should report your suspicions to the police agency where the acts occured. There are certain categories of persons who must report their suspicions if they suspect that a person is a victim of sexual assault. They are people in professions or occupations that have contact with children or whose primary focus is children. The law requires that they report suspected child abuse or neglect. Mandated reporters include educators, health care providers, mental health professionals and clergy. |
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| Q: What should I do if I suspect the presence of a methamphetamine laboratory? |
| A: These laboratories can be explosive and can emit extremely hazardous gases and chemicals. They also attract persons who are committing crimes. Many violent crimes occur involving drug transactions. If you suspect the presence of a methamphetamine laboratory, do not touch anything and leave the area as soon as possible. Do not turn anything on or off including light switches, stoves, fans or anything electrical. Call 911. |
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| Q: What should I do if I think that a child is being abused or neglected? |
| A: Call the Child Abuse Registry and report the abuse at:(714) 940-1000 or (800) 207-4464. Anyone can make a child abuse report. You can report anonymously, if you want. Tell the Registry what you saw or heard. The Registry will take it from there by classifying the call and forwarding it to social workers who make field calls in follow up. You will not receive any feedback about the results of your call, nor will you be involved any further. The Department of Social Services will pick up the call and respond. Under the law, some people are mandated reporters of child abuse. This relates to employment in all cases, and if it pertains to you, your employer would have provided training in what to do when child abuse is reasonably suspected. |
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| Q: What should I do if I witness a gang crime in progress? |
| A: Call the police in the jurisdiction in which the crime has occurred. This usually can be done anonymously. Community residents should never attempt to apprehend gang members on their own. |
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| Q: What will happen if a witness refuses to testify? |
| A: Unless a witness can exercise a certain privilege, the witness will be compelled by the court to testify. If a witness refuses the courts order to testify, the court can impose sanctions on the witness including fines and/or custody time. |
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| Q: Where are the TARGET units located? |
| A: Currently, there are TARGET units operating in the cities of Anaheim (two teams), Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Orange, Santa Ana (three teams), Tustin, and Westminster. Additionally, there are teams that focus their efforts on multiple cities. The multi-city teams include the North County team which includes the cities of Buena Park, Fullerton, and La Habra and the South County team which covers the multiple south Orange County communities served by the Orange County Sheriffs Department. |
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| Q: Where can I find basic information about a case and future court dates? |
| A: First check the DA website under the heading Cases in the News. If you are a member of the media and you cannot find the case on the website you can contact Farrah Emami at (714) 347-8405. If you are not a member of the media you should call (714) 834-3600. |
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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: Where is juvenile Court/Juvenile Hall/Juvenile Probation located? |
A: The Lamoreaux Justice Center is located in the City of Orange at 341 The City Drive. The courthouse is located one block east of The City Drive between Justice Center Way and Dawn Way. Public pay parking is located on Dawn Way.
From the Garden Grove/22 Freeway, take The City Drive exit; turn left onto The City Drive; proceed north on The City Drive; and turn right onto Dawn Way. The parking structure is located on your right.
From I-5, traveling south, take The City Drive exit; turn right onto The City Drive; proceed south on The City Drive; turn left onto Dawn Way. The parking structure is located on your right.
From I-5, traveling north, take the Chapman Avenue exit; turn left onto Chapman Avenue; proceed west on Chapman Avenue; turn left onto The City Drive; turn left onto Dawn Way. The parking structure is located on your right.
Major cross streets are Garden Grove Boulevard and Chapman Avenue. The Juvenile Court is located south of UCI Medical Center, and north of the Theo Lacy Jail Facility. |
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| Q: Where should I go to get legal advice on personal matters? |
A: You should contact a private attorney. If you do not have an attorney, you can call the Lawyer Referral Service which is operated by the Orange County Bar Association at (949) 440-6700.
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