Costa Mesa packs an unusual amount into 16 square miles: South Coast Plaza, one of the highest-grossing shopping centres in the United States; the OC Fair & Event Center, which draws well over a million visitors across its summer run; and the bar and restaurant density of the Triangle and 19th Street.

Retail, events and nightlife in close proximity produce a distinctive mix of arrests — and one very common misunderstanding about where the case will be heard.

Costa Mesa is a West Justice Center city, not Harbor

Costa Mesa borders Newport Beach, and the Harbor Justice Center is a few minutes away on Jamboree Road. People reasonably assume that is where a Costa Mesa case goes. It is not.

The court lists Costa Mesa among the nine cities served by the West Justice Center in Westminster — in the opposite direction. Driving to Newport Beach for a Costa Mesa criminal matter is one of the more common wasted trips in this county.

Who makes the arrest in Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa operates its own municipal police force. The Costa Mesa Police Department headquarters is at 99 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626 — directly adjacent to the fairgrounds it shares a name with.

Expect short-term holding at the police department during booking, then, depending on the charge, transfer into county custody at the Orange County Intake Release Center in Santa Ana, with later housing at Theo Lacy or Musick if release has not happened.

Under Penal Code section 1269b, each county’s superior court judges adopt and annually revise a uniform countywide bail schedule, and the officer in charge of the jail may approve and accept bail — so the amount is often fixed and postable before any court appearance.

Which courthouse handles the case

• Stephen K. Tamura — West Justice Center — 8141 13th Street, Westminster, CA 92683
• Phone: (657) 622-5900
• Handles traffic, minor offences and criminal matters

The court lists nine cities it serves: Costa Mesa, Cypress, Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Stanton and Westminster. It is a full security facility — weapons screening on entry and x-ray of hand-carried items.

Our nearest office to Costa Mesa

We do not have an office in Costa Mesa. American Freedom Bail Bonds has three physical offices — Anaheim, Brea and La Habra — and Costa Mesa is a service area covered from them, principally Anaheim.

An agent can meet you at the Costa Mesa police department, at the West Justice Center in Westminster, or at a county facility. Paperwork can be completed electronically, so nothing waits on travel.

Charges we see most often in Costa Mesa

• DUI — heavily concentrated around the 19th Street and Triangle nightlife and the routes to the 55 and 405. Vehicle Code section 23152 sets 0.08% generally, 0.04% for commercial drivers and those carrying passengers for hire.
• Misdemeanours — including petty theft, which tracks the retail concentration around South Coast Plaza.
• Felony charges — Penal Code section 17 defines the categories and section 17(b) governs offences chargeable either way, which is often the difference that drives the bail figure.
• Domestic violence, drug charges and warrants.
• All bail services and payment plans.

Nearby cities we also serve

• Huntington Beach — to the west, same courthouse
• Fountain Valley — to the north-west, same courthouse
• Newport Beach — to the south, but a different courthouse
• Santa Ana — to the north, where county booking happens
• Irvine — to the east

See also Orange County bail bonds and our service areas.

Common questions

Harbor Justice Center is closer. Why is the case in Westminster?

Because the court assigns Costa Mesa to the West Justice Center, and courthouse assignment follows the city, not the shortest drive. Harbor serves Newport Beach, Irvine and the south county communities — Costa Mesa is not on that list.

Where is my relative being held?

Short-term at the Costa Mesa police department on Fair Drive during booking, then potentially the county Intake Release Center in Santa Ana. We confirm which before you drive anywhere.

The arrest happened at the fair or at South Coast Plaza. Does that matter?

Not to the process. A Costa Mesa arrest is handled by Costa Mesa police and heard at the West Justice Center regardless of where in the city it happened.

Do we have to come to your office?

No. Documents can be completed electronically from wherever you are, and an agent can meet you at the jail or the court.

Anaheim office — (714) 520-2002La Habra office — (562) 690-8303

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Please note: American Freedom Bail Bonds is a licensed bail bond agency, not a law firm. Nothing on this page is legal advice, and we cannot guarantee a bail amount, a release time, eligibility for release, or the outcome of any case. Court and jail information can change — always confirm details directly with the facility or the court. California bail licence 1841014.