Welcome to the Orange County DA Office

Q: How can I get my property returned in a criminal case?

Q: How do I get a copy of the police report?

Q: How do I get copies of trial transcripts?

Q: How do I get to the Central Justice Center, Harbor Justice Center, North Justice Center, South Justice Center, West Justice Center, and/or Lamoreaux Juvenile Court?

Q: How do I get to your office?

Q: How do I make a request to film or photograph a court proceeding?

Q: How do I report a hate crime?

Q: How do identity theft crimes hurt the public and what should I do to stay alert to this problem?

Q: How does the District Attorney handle hate crimes?

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Q: How can I get my property returned in a criminal case?

A: If you are a victim of a crime, contact the police department that handled the case once the case is resolved. If the police department receives clearance from the District Attorneys Office to return your property, it will be returned to you. In certain cases where an appeal is filed by the defendant, property cannot be released until at least 60 days have passed since the resolution of the case. Please contact the District Attorney branch office in the judicial district where the crime occurred for further information. If you are a defendant, please contact your attorney so he or she can facilitate the return of your property. We do not authorize the release of firearms or other contraband to defendants after conviction.

Q: How do I get a copy of the police report?

A: In general, the District Attorneys Office will not release police reports to the public. Reports may be obtained through the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Q: How do I get a restraining order?

A: If the police were called, the officer may have gotten an emergency protective order at the time of the assault. If the police were not called, or if there was nothing that the police could do because there was not enough evidence for there to be criminal charges filed, you can seek your own protective order. You need to go to the 7th floor of the Lamoreaux Justice Center, 341 City Drive South, Orange, California, where you will find assistance. Alternatively, you can contact one of the battered womens shelters for assistance in getting an order.

Q: How do I get copies of trial transcripts?

A: You can request a copy of a trial transcript. There is a fee for this service. Please contact Court Reporter Services at (657) 622-7292 or visit their website at https://www.occourts.org/directory/cris/reporter-transcripts.html.

Q: How do I get to the Central Justice Center, Harbor Justice Center, North Justice Center, South Justice Center, West Justice Center, and/or Lamoreaux Juvenile Court?

A: Click here to see the Maps and Directions link.

Q: How do I get to your office?

A: Main Office: 401 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana, CA

Directions from I-5 North

Take exit #103C/FOURTH ST onto MABURY ST toward FIRST ST - go 0.5 mi
Turn RIGHT on E 1ST ST - go 1.4 mi
Turn RIGHT on N MAIN ST - go 0.4 mi
Turn LEFT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA

Directions from CA-91 East

Take the CA-57 exit toward SANTA ANA - go 4.8 mi
Take the I-5 SOUTH/CA-22 EAST exit toward N MAIN ST - go 1.6 mi
Bear RIGHT on N MAIN ST - go 1.1 mi
Turn RIGHT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA

Directions from I-5 South

Take the MAIN ST exit - go 1.2 mi
Bear RIGHT on N MAIN ST - go 1.1 mi
Turn RIGHT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go < 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA

Directions from I-405 South / CA-22 East

Take the I-405 toward LONG BEACH - go 24.3 mi
Take fork onto CA-22 EAST toward GARDEN GROVE - go 10.1 mi
Take the I-5 SOUTH exit toward N MAIN ST - go 1.1 mi
Bear LEFT on N MAIN ST - go 1.1 mi
Turn RIGHT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go < 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA

Directions from CA-91 West / CA-55 South

Take CA-91 WEST toward BEACH CITIES
Take LEFT fork onto CA-91 EXPRESS LN toward 91 EXPRESS TOLL - go 8.3 mi
Take ramp onto CA-55 SOUTH - go 6.4 mi
Take exit #12B/17TH ST
Turn RIGHT on E 17TH ST toward SANTA ANA - go 2.3 mi
Turn LEFT on N MAIN ST - go 0.7 mi
Turn RIGHT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go < 0.1 mi Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA

Q: How do I make a request to film or photograph a court proceeding?

A: You make the request to the judge presiding on the matter by filing a rule MC-500 and MC-510 forms. The request should be sent to Carole Levitzky, Public Information Officer for Superior Court. She may be reached by telephone at (657) 622-5000 or by e-mail at . You may also download the forms from the Orange County Superior Court website as part of the media packet.

Q: How do I report a hate crime?

A: If you believe you are a victim of a hate crime that jeopardizes your safety or the safety of someone else, call 911. If you have questions about whether you or someone you know has been a victim of a hate crime, or to learn more about hate crimes in general, call the following number:

1-888-NO-2-HATE

Q: How do identity theft crimes hurt the public and what should I do to stay alert to this problem?

A: Identity theft affects over 10 million people in the US every year (Federal Trade Commission) and has been the fastest growing crime in the US every year since 2002. The estimated US cost of ID theft tops $53 billion annually and it is estimated that victims spent approximately 300 million hours to resolve identity theft victimization. It is a particularly frustrating crime because of the violation of personal privacy involved - an anonymous criminal can penetrate our homes and finances undetected. It is also frustrating because the threat of identity theft makes us uneasy in doing everyday things such as handing a credit card to a clerk in a store, making a purchase online of financing a large purchase such as a house or auto.

The Orange County District Attorney's Office prosecutes criminal identity theft cases ranging from individual transactions up to large, organized rings. We have a High Tech Crime Unit that focuses on organized criminals that commit crimes involving large dollar losses.

While no one can prevent identity theft, it is important to be aware and take whatever steps you can to prevent being victimized. Everyone is encouraged to exercise care to help in avoiding being victimized. A secure mailbox prevents theft of confidential information such as bank and credit card statements. Shred all documents with personal information including names/address instead of throwing them in the trash. Don't share your passwords or PIN numbers or leave them in a place they can be easily located and choose PINs that are not easy for criminals to figure out. Don't respond to requests for identifying information in emails or on websites you can't verify. Avoid using a debit card in locations you don't know and may gain access to your PIN such as gas pumps. Exercise caution in providing confidential personal information such as social security number, driver license number, and credit card information to people who request it such as medical offices or businesses and ask why the information is required, what they will do with the information, and how they will keep it safe. Don't have your phone, driver license, or social security number on you checks.

Q: How does the District Attorney handle hate crimes?

A: The District Attorney views hate incidents and hate crimes as very serious matters that are worthy of specialized prosecution. All potential cases are referred to a designated deputy district attorney (DDA) in the Special Prosecutions Unit. That prosecutor is an expert in this field and will vigorously prosecute all hate crimes when there is sufficient evidence to prove the legal elements of this particularly heinous crime. He or she handles the case during all stages of prosecution from filing through trial/plea and sentencing. He or she also closely coordinates these matters with the California Department of Justice and the Orange County Human Relations Commission.

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