History
Orange County's court facilities have been overwhelmed by the exploding area growth and the concurrent growth in demand for judicial services. The resulting overcrowding and dispersion of court-related agencies have seriously hindered the efficiency, security, and integrity of the courts. In an attempt to address these and other concerns, a courthouse facility was opened in 1997 to accommodate Orange County's current and future judicial needs.
Design
The complex includes a 23-level courthouse tower, stands 416 feet high, and has over 965,000 square feet of interior space. High-volume courts, Clerk of the Courts, and the jury assembly area are located in the tower's four-story base. A special purpose courtroom is located on the 23rd level. The courthouse is flanked by two buildings occupied by the Public Defender, Building A, and the State Attorney, Building B.
Parking
The courthouse parking garage is located on the north side of the complex. Entrances to the garage are off of Magnolia and Orange Avenues. Rates for parking are $2.00 per hour with a maximum of $15.00 for the day.
Security
Please note, the following items will be prohibited from coming into the courthouse:
- Knives of any type/size
- Alcohol
- Bug bombs or spray
- Clay
- Handcuff key
- Knitting needles
- Lighters
- Mace
- Metal forks
- Metal nail files
- Metal picks
- Paints
- Pepper spray
- Rat tail combs
- Sharp point scissors
- Sling shot
- Stun gun
- Tear gas
- Tools & tape measures
- Razors or box cutters
- Glass bottles (over 4 oz)
- Throwing stars
- Drugs
- Chinese sticks (hairsticks)
- Medallions over 2"
- Firearms
- Kubaton sticks of any kind
- Metal knuckles
- Oversized belt buckles
- Chemical gas
- Chains over 12"
- Body spray (over 4 oz)
- Aerosol cans
- Billie club
- Tweezers
- Explosives
- Ammunition
Any and all other destructive devices and additional items not listed, considered dangerous by the security officials may be confiscated.