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Office of the District Attorney, Tony Rackauckas, Orange County DA
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F.A.Q.
Q: I'd like to contact the victim's family, do you have a number?
Q: How do I get to your office?
Q: I'm looking for a past press release. How do I get a copy?
Q: I'd like to contact the defense attorney, who is he and what is his number?
Q: What happens at a pre-trial/arraignment/preliminary hearing?
Q: What is the fax number for the Public Affairs Unit?
Q: What does the Public Affairs Unit do?
Q: Where can I find basic information about a case and future court dates?
Q: How do I make a request to film or photograph a court proceeding?
Q: Do I have access to the OCDA file?
 

Q: I'd like to contact the victim's family, do you have a number?
A: To protect the privacy of the victim, we do not give out contact information regarding a victim or their family.
 
Q: How do I get to your office?
A: Main Office:  401 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana, CA

Directions from I-5 North

Take exit #103C/FOURTH ST onto MABURY ST toward FIRST ST - go 0.5 mi
Turn RIGHT on E 1ST ST - go 1.4 mi
Turn RIGHT on N MAIN ST - go 0.4 mi
Turn LEFT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA


Directions from CA-91 East

Take the CA-57 exit toward SANTA ANA - go 4.8 mi
Take the I-5 SOUTH/CA-22 EAST  exit toward N MAIN ST - go 1.6 mi
Bear RIGHT on N MAIN ST - go 1.1 mi
Turn RIGHT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA 


Directions from I-5 South

Take the MAIN ST exit - go 1.2 mi
Bear RIGHT on N MAIN ST - go 1.1 mi
Turn RIGHT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go < 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA 


Directions from I-405 South / CA-22 East

Take the I-405 toward LONG BEACH - go 24.3 mi
Take  fork onto CA-22 EAST toward GARDEN GROVE - go 10.1 mi
Take the I-5 SOUTH exit toward N MAIN ST - go 1.1 mi
Bear LEFT on N MAIN ST - go 1.1 mi
Turn RIGHT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go < 0.1 mi
Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA 


Directions from CA-91 West / CA-55 South

Take CA-91 WEST toward BEACH CITIES
Take LEFT fork onto CA-91 EXPRESS LN toward 91 EXPRESS TOLL - go 8.3 mi
Take ramp onto CA-55 SOUTH - go 6.4 mi
Take exit #12B/17TH ST
Turn RIGHT on E 17TH ST toward SANTA ANA - go 2.3 mi
Turn LEFT on N MAIN ST - go 0.7 mi
Turn RIGHT on CIVIC CENTER DR W - go 0.2 mi
Turn  RIGHT on N BIRCH ST - go < 0.1 mi Arrive at 401 W CIVIC CENTER DR, SANTA ANA 

 
Q: I'm looking for a past press release. How do I get a copy?
A: Go to the Media Center section of the website. There you will find a list of every press release sent from the OCDA. Click here for the press releases.
 
Q: I'd like to contact the defense attorney, who is he and what is his number?
A: If the attorney is a public defender, contact the Orange County Public Defender’s office at (714) 834-2144. If the defendant is represented by a private attorney contact the California Bar Association.
 
Q: What happens at a pre-trial/arraignment/preliminary hearing?
A: A pre-trial hearing is an opportunity for the prosecution, defense and judge to discuss options including setting dates for future hearings/trials or dispositions. At an arraignment, the charges against the defendant are read, a lawyer is appointed if the defendant cannot afford one, and the defendant’s plea is entered. During a preliminary hearing, the prosecutor presents evidence to a judge in an attempt to show there is probable cause that a defendant has committed the crime for which they are charged. If the judge is convinced that probable cause exists to charge the defendant, then the prosecution proceeds to the next phase. If not, the charges are dropped.

Anatomy of a Prosecution
 
Q: What is the fax number for the Public Affairs Unit?
A: The fax number for Public Affairs is (714) 347-8689.
 
Q: What does the Public Affairs Unit do?
A: The Public Affairs Unit (PAU) serves the public by making sure they are accurately informed of the administration of justice in Orange County.  The PAU also assists law enforcement by publicizing important information to warn the public of danger and safety issues.  The Unit is the first point of contact with the media for the District Attorney’s Office. They handle all day-to-day media inquiries including all requests for interviews with District Attorney Tony Rackauckas, deputy district attorneys, and district attorney investigators.  They also update the Cases in the News list posted on the website and issue press releases and media advisories. You can reach Public Affairs Counsel Susan Kang Schroeder at (714) 347-8408, Spokesperson Farrah Emami at (714) 347-8405, and the Public Affairs Assistants at (714) 347-8414 or (714) 347-8423.

 

 
Q: Where can I find basic information about a case and future court dates?
A: First check the DA website under the heading “Cases in the News”. If you are a member of the media and you cannot find the case on the website you can contact Farrah Emami at (714) 347-8405. If you are not a member of the media you should call (714) 834-3600.
 
Q: How do I make a request to film or photograph a court proceeding?
A: You make the request to the judge presiding on the matter by filing a rule MC-500 and MC-510 forms. The request should be sent to Carole Levitzky, Public Information Officer for Superior Court.  She may be reached by telephone at (657) 622-5000  or by e-mail at .  You may also download the forms from the Orange County Superior Court website as part of the media packet.
 
Q: Do I have access to the OCDA file?
A: District Attorney files are confidential. The criminal file in the Superior Court contains a public record.
 
 


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Office of the District Attorney. Main Office: 401 Civic Center Drive, Santa Ana, California 92701
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