FAQs • Merced County, CA • CivicEngage

I have been sent to collections on a traffic matter.: Access the Lockout Motion from the Public Defender's website under the heading forms or come to the public defender's office and pick up the motion to get yourself back on the traffic calendar in order to get back in front of the traffic hearing judge.

▼
Public Defender

1. How can I find out if I have a warrant for my arrest?: You can contact Merced County Superior Court at (209) 725-4113, or contact our office at (209) 385-7692 in Merced or (209) 710-6030 in Los Banos.

2. When is my court date?: For court date information, you may contact Merced County Superior Court at (209) 725-4113, or the County Public Defender at (209) 385-7692 for Merced or (209) 710-6030 for Los Banos.

3. Who is my attorney?: For information regarding your attorney please call Merced County Public Defenders Office at (209) 385-7692 for Merced or (209) 710-6030 for Los Banos.

4. How can I clear my warrant?: If you have a misdemeanor warrant you can clear it two ways.
1) You can go to the Merced County Sheriff Department at 700 W. 22nd Street, Merced and ask for the records division. You must tell them you have a warrant and would like to be cited out. Depending on the warrant they will give you a ticket with a new court date. We will not be in court with you for this appearance. If they will not cite you out, they will give you the walk in information.
2) You can go the Merced County Superior Court, Criminal Division at 2260 N Street, in Merced, Monday thru Thursday between 7:45 and 8:15 a.m. and Los Banos Criminal Division Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8:00 a.m. and ask to have your case placed on the calendar. They will send you to a courtroom and you will need to explain to the judge why you failed to appear. We will not be in court with you for this appearance.
If you have a felony warrant and you have not entered a felony plea or been held to answer on a felony case, you may do a walk in to the Merced County Superior Court, Criminal Division, or Los Banos Criminal Division as listed above.
If you have a felony warrant and you have entered a felony plea or have held to answer you must contact your attorney to place you back on the court calendar.

Merced Misdemeanor office appointments are on a walk in basis:
Wednesday – 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. and Thursday – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Los Banos Misdemeanor office appointments are on a walk in basis:
Monday – 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Merced Felony office appointments depend on the attorney assigned to your case, you will need to contact our office at 209 385-7692.

Los Banos Felony office appointments are Thursday, and you will need to call 209 710-7030 to schedule an appointment.

6. What is a contract attorney?: A contract attorney is assigned to your case when our office cannot handle your case because of a conflict. You will need to contact the contract office at (209) 722-7034 for attorney information.

7. How can I seal my record?: To seal a juvenile record you must contact the Merced County Probation Department, at 209 385-7494. Not all juvenile records can be sealed.
An adult record cannot be sealed, to file a dismissal or 1203.4 petition you may come into our office on Wednesday 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. We will petition the court for a dismissal, the fee is $111.00 per case.
More...

8. I have been sent to collections on a traffic matter.: Access the Lockout Motion from the Public Defender's website under the heading forms or come to the public defender's office and pick up the motion to get yourself back on the traffic calendar in order to get back in front of the traffic hearing judge.