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The Van Nuys Courthouse is the criminal court for the San Fernando Valley — Van Nuys, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, North Hollywood, and the surrounding Valley communities. It's where Valley DUIs are heard.
Van Nuys Courthouse — court & DMV details
Why your case is here
The Van Nuys courthouse at 14400 Erwin Street Mall is the Northwest District's criminal court, serving the heart of the San Fernando Valley. A useful local detail: there are two Van Nuys courthouses a block apart — Van Nuys West (Erwin Street) hears criminal and DUI cases, while Van Nuys East on Sylmar Avenue handles civil, family, and juvenile matters. DUIs from Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, North Hollywood, Reseda, Northridge, and the rest of the Valley are heard at Van Nuys West.
Who prosecutes a Valley DUI
Most of the San Fernando Valley is within the City of Los Angeles, so a misdemeanor DUI here is generally prosecuted by the LA City Attorney, not the District Attorney. Arrests in nearby unincorporated pockets, or felony DUIs, fall to the LA County DA.
The 10-day DMV deadline
A Valley DUI brings two cases: the criminal case at Van Nuys and the DMV's separate case against your license, with a 10-day deadline to request a hearing. How the DMV hearing works →
How Ron defends a DUI at Van Nuys
Valley DUI enforcement is heavy along the 101, 405, and 170 freeways and Ventura Boulevard. Ron works directly with you from his Irvine office, examines the stop and the testing, negotiates with the City Attorney, and runs the DMV hearing alongside the court case, in English or Farsi.
Which Van Nuys courthouse handles DUI?
Who prosecutes my Sherman Oaks or Encino DUI?
Do I have to appear in Van Nuys myself?
How do I keep my license?
← Back to Los Angeles County DUI Defense
Ron defends DUI cases across Southern California from his Irvine office — and works directly with you, not a call center.
Learn more about Ron Chini →