Felony Defense
Every felony filed by the OCDA, from PC §459 burglary to PC §211 robbery, PC §187 murder, and everything in between.
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Orange County · California
Arrested for a Felony in Orange County?
Former Orange County Public Defender. 7x Super Lawyers Honoree. Free 24/7 consultation with a trial attorney, not an intake clerk.
Mohammad Abuershaid
Founding Attorney
California Penal Code §17(a)
A felony in California is a crime punishable by death, imprisonment in state prison, or county jail under PC §1170(h) for more than one year. In Orange County, felony cases are filed by the OC District Attorney and heard at one of four justice centers: Central (Santa Ana), Harbor (Newport Beach), North (Fullerton), or West (Westminster).
Orange County Felony Defense, Done Right
If you or a loved one has been arrested on a felony charge in Orange County, the next 48 hours matter more than almost anything else that will happen in your case. Under Penal Code §825, arraignment must happen within 48 hours of arrest (excluding Sundays and holidays). Before that first appearance, the Orange County District Attorney's filing deputies are already reviewing the police report and deciding what charges to file, including whether to allege strike priors, gang enhancements, gun enhancements, or Great Bodily Injury under PC §12022.7.
Retaining a felony defense attorney before arraignment can change what charges are filed. It can also mean the difference between an OR release, a low bail, and sitting in Theo Lacy or Central Men's Jail until trial. Attorney Mohammad "Mo" Abuershaid is a former Orange County Public Defender who knows the OCDA's filing practices, the judges at Central Justice Center, and the informal rules that don't appear in the Penal Code.
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Felony Charges We Defend
Serious Charges. Serious Defense.
Every felony category below includes specific knowledge of how Orange County prosecutors charge these cases and how local judges rule on motions to suppress, motions to reduce under PC §17(b), and Romero motions.
DUI Defense
VC §23152 first-offense DUI, wet reckless, felony DUI under VC §23153, and DMV APS hearings. The 10-day rule applies.
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HS §11377, §11378, §11351, §11352, plus Prop 47 reductions, Prop 36 treatment, and PC §1000 deferred entry of judgment.
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PC §245(a)(1) assault with a deadly weapon, PC §243(e)(1) domestic battery, PC §273.5 corporal injury. Strike priors matter.
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Orange County Courthouses
We Know Every OC Felony Courtroom
Orange County operates four felony-hearing justice centers. Where your case is assigned depends on where the alleged offense occurred, and each courthouse has its own rhythm, its own judges, and its own prosecutor practices.
Central Justice Center
700 Civic Center Dr W, Santa Ana, CA 92701
The main felony courthouse. All felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials for the Santa Ana/Anaheim region. Home of the OCDA Central Branch.
Harbor Justice Center
4601 Jamboree Rd, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Felony cases arising in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, and coastal Orange County jurisdictions.
North Justice Center
1275 N Berkeley Ave, Fullerton, CA 92832
Felony cases from Fullerton, Brea, La Habra, Placentia, Yorba Linda, and the north OC communities.
West Justice Center
8141 13th St, Westminster, CA 92683
Felony cases from Westminster, Garden Grove, Seal Beach, and Little Saigon. Significant Vietnamese-language caseload.
Why ALL Trial Lawyers
Former Public Defender Experience. Now Defending You.
Attorney Mohammad "Mo" Abuershaid began his career at the Orange County Public Defender's Office, defending clients accused of the most serious charges Orange County filed: murder, robbery, assault with deadly weapons, and sex offenses. He has since founded ALL Trial Lawyers, which now operates 11 offices across Southern California.
Mo is admitted to practice in the State Bar of California, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, and the Southern District of California. He is a 7x Super Lawyers honoree and a 2026 Rising Star. Recognitions that reflect peer review by other California trial attorneys, not paid placement.
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Common Questions
Orange County Felony FAQ
Straight answers, with the statute cited, for the questions Orange County felony defendants ask in the first 48 hours.
What is a felony in Orange County, California?
Under California Penal Code §17(a), a felony is a crime punishable by death, state prison, or county jail under PC §1170(h) for more than one year.
Orange County felony cases are prosecuted by the OC District Attorney's Office and heard at one of four justice centers: Central (Santa Ana), Harbor (Newport Beach), North (Fullerton), or West (Westminster). Which courthouse depends on where the alleged offense occurred.
How long after arrest until arraignment in Orange County?
Under Penal Code §825, arraignment must occur within 48 hours of arrest, excluding Sundays and holidays.
For in-custody felony defendants, OC arraignments are typically at Central Justice Center in Santa Ana the next court day. Retaining counsel before arraignment is critical. An attorney can argue bail, raise constitutional issues, and sometimes negotiate charges before the formal complaint is filed.
What is a "wobbler" in California criminal law?
A wobbler is an offense a prosecutor may charge as either a felony or a misdemeanor at their discretion.
Common OC wobblers include PC §245(a)(1) assault with a deadly weapon, PC §459 commercial burglary, and HS §11377 methamphetamine possession. Under PC §17(b), a motion to reduce a wobbler felony to a misdemeanor can be filed at preliminary hearing, at sentencing, or after probation.
What is California's Three Strikes law?
California's Three Strikes law, codified at Penal Code §§667(b)-(i) and 1170.12, doubles the sentence for any felony if the defendant has one prior serious or violent felony conviction, and imposes 25 years to life for a qualifying third felony.
Orange County prosecutors pursue Three Strikes filings aggressively. A Romero motion (People v. Superior Court (Romero) 13 Cal.4th 497) asks the judge to strike prior strikes in the interest of justice. A critical tool in OC strike cases.
Where is bail set for OC felony charges?
Orange County uses a uniform bail schedule published by the Superior Court of California, County of Orange, which lists a presumptive bail amount for every felony.
At arraignment, either side may ask the judge to depart from the schedule. Under In re Humphrey (2021) 11 Cal.5th 135, the court must consider ability to pay and whether non-monetary conditions can secure appearance. An attorney can present employment records, family ties, and community roots to argue for OR release or reduced bail.
Every Hour Matters. Every Call Is Free.
If you or someone you love has been arrested on a felony charge anywhere in Orange County, reach a trial attorney directly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call (866) 811-4255