Lassen County Correctional Facility Criminal Court Process

1. Lassen misdemeanors (petty theft, a DUI first offense, battery, trespassing)

The Lassen County District Attorney, based at 2905 Riverside Drive in Susanville, files misdemeanor charges throughout the county. Lots of Lassen misdemeanors start with just a ticket: an officer jots a date, he signs, and he leaves. If someone is booked into the Lassen County Adult Detention Facility on Sheriff Cady Lane instead, an in-custody arraignment at the Hall of Justice must take place within 48 hours, leaving out Sundays and holidays.

The Susanville arraignment walks through the complaint, takes his plea, which is typically not guilty, and fixes release terms. If jail is possible and he lacks money for counsel, he may ask for an appointed lawyer then; the Lassen County Public Defender is appointed for those who meet the financial guidelines. There is no longer any court bill in California for the services of appointed counsel. On minor counts, Lassen lets counsel appear for the client.

Pretrial conferences come next, and that's where most Lassen cases end, by plea, reduction or dismissal. With diversion, a Susanville judge can erase the charge after conditions are met, but not for DUIs, domestic violence or registrable sex crimes. Trials go before 12 jurors, and the law requires trial within 30 days of arraignment for a jailed defendant or 45 days for one who is free; defense lawyers often waive those limits.

Lassen misdemeanors mostly cap at six months of jail plus a $1,000 fine, and some reach a year. Probation, fines and programs are typical, and these cases mostly close in weeks to months.

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2. Lassen felonies (burglary, grand theft, sale of drugs, felony drunk driving)

Felony prosecutions are also handled by the Lassen County District Attorney. After the complaint is filed, a defendant in custody is arraigned at the Hall of Justice within 48 hours of arrest. Bail is addressed at that hearing, and the California Supreme Court’s 2021 In re Humphrey decision requires the judge to consider the defendant’s ability to pay before setting any amount. The 2026 Kowalczyk case adds that a Susanville judge can't set bail so high that it quietly blocks release.

Appointed counsel for eligible defendants comes from the Lassen County Public Defender, assigned at the start of the case. A conflict in that office, such as a codefendant it already defends, leads the court to name an independent lawyer.

Next is the preliminary hearing, which must occur within 10 court days of arraignment unless waived. A Susanville judge then rules on whether the DA's evidence justifies trial. The DA can alternatively seek a grand jury indictment. Bound-over cases get an information, a fresh arraignment, and a trial date due inside 60 days unless waived, as it frequently is. Plea agreements settle the large majority of felony cases.

Lassen probation writes a presentence report after conviction, and sentencing typically follows inside 20 court days. Since 2011 realignment, plenty of nonserious, nonviolent felony time is done in the Susanville jail. “Wobbler” crimes may be filed or knocked down as misdemeanors. A Lassen felony can run from a few months to well past a year.

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3. Lassen's most violent charges (murder, rape, armed robbery)

Procedurally, a violent felony looks like any other felony: arraignment, preliminary hearing or indictment, then trial. Bail is where the difference shows first. In violent or sex-assault felonies, the state constitution lets a Susanville judge hold someone with no bail if clear and convincing proof shows his release would probably lead to great bodily harm, which keeps many of these defendants jailed start to finish.

All three crimes count as strikes. One earlier strike doubles a Lassen sentence; two priors may bring 25 years to life. After a violent felony conviction, at least 85% of the prison term must be served.

• Murder: second-degree carries 15 years to life and first-degree 25 years to life. Special circumstances, like a killing during a robbery or rape, mean life without parole or death. Lassen's DA alone may pursue death, and no executions have occurred since the 2019 statewide halt.
• Armed robbery: robbery alone can mean nine years; a firearm adds 10 years, 20 years or 25 years to life. Since 2018, judges can strike these enhancements.
• Rape: a maximum near eight years unless aggravating facts apply, plus highest-tier registration.

When the death penalty is sought, two qualified lawyers are appointed for the defense. Marsy’s Law gives Lassen victims hearing notices, a sentencing statement and restitution; the District Attorney’s victim-witness services can be reached at (530) 251-8283. Susanville handles these over one to three years, with murders often exceeding five.

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4. Lassen County Superior Court

• Hall of justice: 2610 Riverside Drive, Susanville, CA 96130 · 530-251-8205

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Lassen County Superior Court in Susanville names judges who accept CourtCall, a private phone and video appearance provider that bills per hearing. Judicial approval comes first; then register at CourtCall, pick the date, and send in a court fee waiver if you have one, keeping in mind a free court video link may exist too.

5. Federal cases from Lassen County

The Eastern District of California hears Lassen's federal cases, starting before a magistrate judge at Sacramento federal courthouse, 501 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or in Redding. Pretrial Services reports, and a detention hearing follows, which the prosecution may delay three days and the defense five. Federal detainees are housed in Marshals contract jails; office U.S. Marshals Service, 501 I Street, Suite 5600, Sacramento, 916-930-2030.

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6. ICE detainers and Lassen cases

A detainer won't change the Susanville case. SB 54 bars extra holding, and ICE hears about a release date only when a qualifying violent or serious conviction is on file. Tell the defense lawyer about immigration status. TRUTH Act notice is needed before an ICE jail interview. San Francisco ICE field office, 630 Sansome Street, Room 590, San Francisco, CA 94111, 415-365-8800 serves Lassen; detainees go to:

• Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center: 425 Golden State Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301
• Golden State Annex: 611 Frontage Road, McFarland, CA 93250
• California City detention site: 22844 Virginia Boulevard, California City, CA 93505

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7. Searching after a Lassen arrest

• Lassen County Inmate Search: name; bail and court date.
• VINELink (https://vinelink.vineapps.com/): California; facility.
• Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator (https://www.bop.gov/inmateloc/): register number or name; pretrial: 916-930-2030.
• CDCR Inmate Locator (https://inmatelocator.cdcr.ca.gov/): number or name; includes the Susanville prisons.
• ICE Online Detainee Locator System (https://locator.ice.gov/odls/): A-number or name and birth country; else 415-365-8800.

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8. Could I have a warrant out of Susanville?

Lassen's Sheriff's Office serves warrants in Westwood, Herlong, Bieber and the county seat; call (530) 257-6121 with your full name and birth date ready. The deputy who answers can also run a statewide check. The Superior Court's case index and calendar portal lets you find a case and its next hearing. New dates come from the Hall of Justice clerk at 2610 Riverside Drive. You can then surrender at the Adult Detention Facility, ideally with counsel, or have a lawyer seek a recall.

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