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:
- Aerosol cans
- Alcohol
- Ammunition
- Billie club
- Body spray (over 4 oz)
- Bug bombs or spray
- Chains over 12"
- Chemical gas
- Chinese sticks (hairsticks)
- Clay
- Crochet hooks
- Drugs
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Glass containers (over 4 oz)
- Handcuff key
- Knitting needles
- Knives of any type/size
- Kubaton sticks of any kind
- Lighters
- Mace
- Medallions over 2"
- Metal forks
- Metal knuckles
- Metal nail files
- Metal picks
- Oversized belt buckles
- Paints
- Pepper spray
- Rat tail combs
- Razors or box cutters
- Sharp point scissors
- Sling shot
- Stun gun
- Tape measure
- Tear gas
- Throwing stars
- Tools & tape measures
- Tweezers
Any and all other destructive devices and additional items not listed, considered dangerous by the security officials may be confiscated.