San Diego Municipal Court Review

I called on Friday morning to double check if they were open to the public, even though their website said they were, considering all the recent shut downs again due to COVID. I didn t want to drive two hours from LA for nothing since we needed to get certified copies of some old records. The person who answered my call was so polite and not bothered, and also took the extra step of checking to make sure they had this 25 year old record.

When we arrived a few hours later, and near closing time, their entrance was so organized. They completed temperature checks, then another person assisted with the check in, to determine the nature of our visit, who then directed us to another person who filled out a form concerning our visit, and then finally to the screening/X-ray portion. Then I handed the form filled out by the previous person to the next person who walked us to where we needed to get our documents. If you ask me, it was a bit too much customer service that I m not use to... considering this is court. It s shocking because I would compare it to getting good customer service at the DMV, which is unheard of and never happens. Don t mind all the police officers hanging out at the front lobby in a good mood. I felt like I was in an episode of The Twilight Zone.

Anyways, we get to the window and the clerk asks me whose criminal records I m trying to get. I point to the sweet looking Asian elderly woman next to me and say oh it s my mom s records.

They now have a Orange Line Trolley Stop at the new courthouse steps. If the trolley stop has a parking lot is is free.

Beautiful building but prepare yourself for a truly the worst experience of your life. Bring a book and lots and lots of patience. Our taxes hard at work :(

Judge Mangionne,Thank you for protecting us .Judge Livingston ,Leah,Jennifer and attorney for the family law replacement.Enjoy the r &r because I will finally have my son,no help from you.God Bless you all.I hope your judge is actually present and doesn't mute you.i hope you attorney shows and I hope they don't falsify records and give new husband's on paper and make you older then you are.i hope you get someone who is ethical honest and has held their promise to protect and not hurt the people of the United States. I will be following up with the CA BAR and hopefully THE Mr. Barr not Xavier .....WOW amen

Neat nice newly built Superior Court, much better than the one at Broadway, very clean and spacious. Long lines in the morning for jurors and others but after the initial batch, there is not much. I believe a good time to come for jury duty would be 8:30 where you can skip the video and still deliver your report card.

The security guards were surprisingly nice, and gave detailed instructions. Place was originally difficult to navigate but easy to get used to. There is an accessible list of court cases that are occurring for that day, what the case is about, the magistrate who is leading it, and the floor and room it is on. Which is extremely helpful. The place is very clean and organize, which is to be expected. Unless you are next to a court in session it is not that quiet, which I find helpful in calming nerves and stress. Because its in down town San Diego there is NO PARKING. Commuting or taking an Uber is advised.

Wow! I submitted a judgment and it was filed (10) days later! Quickest processing in San Diego County!

Yes I hate court just like everybody else probably. I found that everyone here is friendly and helpful as possible. There are some Clerks who obviously love to tel people NO! Total Power Trippers. At this location 90% of the people working there including sherriffs, say Hello and give you clear instructions. They do not Hassle you or search you in appropriately. They are respectful and empathetic for the most part. I really don t mind coming here. It is all Civil and Family Services that I have used. Thankfully I haven t had to come here for anything Criminal.

Judge Marcela O. McLaughlin is a corrupt judge. If you have the money she can be bought. She is biased and should not be a judge. 100% judicial misconduct.

Got in today after double screening to file my NOL( Notice of Lodgment)...
...for tomorrow's case.
11 photos that will help me get my client a JUST and fair child sharing schedule.
Thank you to the Courthouse Staff, Sherriffs bailiffs and Court Clerks and Maintainance staff that keep the Court functioning during Covid-19.

Great new superior court building on Union street. It is spacious, and well designed, with a state of the art sound system. The courtrooms themselves are much better than the old courtrooms which were cramped and dingy and stuffy. The new design feels very open and well ventilated.

Trying to get through to a clerk for the past 30 minutes the system just hung up on me. The officer didn't write the date clearly on the ticket now I don't know what to do

Nice and clean building .with the new technology .each floor has a assistant to help you where to go. what direction really easy to use any place you want to go. the most for a new generation they will help you out where to go and make it easy to pay.

Jury Duty - Its your duty and make the best of your time.

First day of Jury duty typically starts at 7:45 for selection

Getting there
Parking - try early bird at Horton Plaza for $9. Its 4 blocks away and a quick walk.
Trolley - Santa Fe depot (green line) is 5 blocks away and orange line stops in front of the building. You can get a pass for the first day.

Building Security
remember this is a secure building. metal detectors and xray for the bags
No glass bottles and belts need to come off

Orientation
You get a quick video and we had a judge explain the need for jurors. We don't live in a dictatorship, so better your peers judging your vs. a firing squad. You need to complete a form with your juror card so the court knows you are attending.

Waiting
After the orientation, you wait. Every couple of hours a group is called. So you need to stay in the area and wait for your name to be called. Groups of 50 are called for selection.

Lunch
If you haven't been picked, lunch is 11:30 to 1:15 PM. There are a lot of places to eat. but its not cheap. The cafe in the building across from the waiting room is not worth sticking around.

Tips -
Take trolley if you have time or use early bird at Horton Plaza
Bring a book. WiFi is fast (enough). Bring a battery pack for your phone or tablet.
There is 1 microwave in the attached room. Bring your own lunch or snacks.
Its a bit chilly, bring a light jacket. I was OK with long sleeve shirt.

I would like to say Thank You to Vanessa and her team at the Business office 450. I am here alone getting a restraining order and both Vanessa and the woman at window 4 gave excellent customer service. They have made the best out of a horrible situation. They both were very helpful and very caring. I didn t want to leave the courthouse without recognizing them both. Vanessa you continue to lead your team by example. Your employees are lucky to have you as a boss. Excellent customer service and very knowledgeable. Thank you for being a good worker and being sensitive to the domestic violence petitioners. As mentioned no one knows what they are going through and what they are facing. Your demonstration to kindness will go along way. God bless you business office team!!

Dear Judge Freestone,
I stood in front of you in the courtroom at the El Cajon County courthouse on Oct 25, 2018.I was allowed a moment to plead my case as a move away order was recommended for ALL four of my children by April (mediator).

My children were officially placed with their father on January 1,2019.
Through a combination of lies and facts, the mediator came to her conclusion and you sided with her and with the father of my children.

Growing up in the foster care system, and without my parents, I refused to go down without a fight.
I filed an ex-parte to regain custody of my children. I met with Judge Duffy at the El Cajon Courthouse on Jan 17th, 2019~ To find out that as the deciding judge, any modification would only be legally possible with you; and since you had transferred courthouses, our court hearing was rescheduled for March 25th, in Downtown.
There you denied my motion to regain physical custody of children.
On March 13th 2019, I left my home of 9 years, and navigated a new state, a new town, new people, and a new culture.
Dexter our family dog went with.

On April 23, 2019. I received a message from the father of my children stating that the children were better off living with me.
On September 19, 2019. Cliff and I went before Judge Duffy, there he requested that his parental rights be terminated.

We are back in San Diego, CA.
Alina is in 9th grade and plays freshman basketball for one of the best schools in La Mesa!
Allysa is using writing as a coping skill, and planning to write a book.
Carter talks about growing up to become a baseball player and a husband.
Calvin is exceptionally intelligent and talks about being a Paleontologist and a Judge when he grows up, and shared that if all else fails, he'll become a stock broker.
I am working as an Early Interventionist with babies, and getting ready to release a short Memoir on Amazon!
I wanted to share this because things worked out for me! Thank GOD!!
But maybe not for other families. Please understand that your decision affects lives.
GOD Bless,
YR

What a joke. This place is nothing more than a county racquet. Prosecutorial Discretion has replaced statue of law.

One has a better chance of getting a fair trial in North Korea.

There is not justice at this court. Incompetent crooked judges that will make a perpetrator out of the victim! I m so disgusted by these judges wish they all just dropped dead