New Long Beach Court to Open Today

The long awaited new courthouse in Long Beach is due to open today. The 31 court room, five story court, is located at 275 Magnolia Avenue, Long Beach, California 90802 and will be named "The Governor Deukmejian Courthouse".

It is understood that misdemeanor DUI cases in Long Beach will now be arraigned in courtroom S02 on the first floor with Judge Meloch. Following a plea of not guilty to DUI, it is expected that cases will be transferred to a misdemeanor pre-trial court, either courtroom S05 with Judge Laesecke, courtroom S07 with Judge Lord or courtroom S08 with Judge Dhanidina. Previously, Judge Dhanidina was handling all misdemeanor DUI arraignments and pre-trials.

It is anticipated that felony DUI cases in Long Beach will be transferred to one of a number of direct calendar felony courts.

For defendants who are on probation for DUI in Long Beach and still have probationary requirements outstanding, fine payments should be paid in the new court and documents proving completion of alcohol programs and community service etc should be filed in the new criminal clerk's office.

It remains to be seen how the separation of responsibility between judges for DUI cases in Long Beach will affect the politics and tactics of DUI defense. Some judges are more helpful to DUI defense attorneys than others in assisting in the fair resolution of cases.

If you have been arrested for a misdemeanor or felony DUI in Long Beach, please contact a Los Angeles DUI lawyer at Gold & Witham for expert legal representation.