Ventura County Superior Court handles criminal cases through several courthouse locations throughout the county.
The main courthouse is located at 800 S. Victoria Ave, Ventura, CA 93009. Other branches serve Oxnard, Simi Valley, and Thousand Oaks.
Criminal cases begin with an arraignment, where charges are formally read and the defendant enters a plea.
Pretrial hearings follow the arraignment, where the prosecution and defense may negotiate, and the judge addresses procedural matters.
If no plea agreement is reached, the case proceeds to trial. Understanding each stage helps defendants prepare appropriately.