For anyone dealing with a bail bond, the courthouse that matters most is the one where criminal cases are heard, the main Fresno County Superior Court downtown. This is where arraignments and criminal hearings take place, and where your loved one will need to appear after release.
The downtown criminal courthouse
Adult felony and misdemeanor cases in Fresno County are generally heard at the courthouse at 1100 Van Ness Avenue in downtown Fresno. It is part of the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, and it sits close to the county jail complex, which is why people in custody can be moved to court without a long trip. The first major court date for most criminal cases is the arraignment, where the charges are formally read and, in some cases, a judge sets or reviews bail.
Why the arraignment matters for bail
For many charges, bail is already set from the county schedule, so a release happens before the arraignment. But for serious felonies or cases without a scheduled amount, the arraignment is when a judge sets bail. We stay ready to post the bond as soon as that figure is known, so there is no unnecessary extra time in custody. Read more about felony bail and how bail bonds work.
Appearing in court after release
Once your loved one is out on bond, every scheduled court appearance must be kept. Showing up is not just a legal duty, it is what keeps the bond in good standing and protects the co signer. Missing a date can trigger a bench warrant and put the bond at risk, which is why we remind clients of upcoming dates. If a date is ever missed, call us immediately so we can help address it before it becomes a bigger problem. See our warrant page.
We track your court dates. After we post a bond, we confirm the court location and date so you always know where to be and when.
Other Fresno County courts
Civil, family, and probate matters are handled at the B.F. Sisk Courthouse on O Street, and traffic cases at the M Street Courthouse on Tuolumne Street. Cases involving minors go to the juvenile court at the Juvenile Justice Campus. See the full overview on our courthouses page.
Frequently asked questions
Where are criminal cases heard in Fresno County?
Adult felony and misdemeanor cases are generally heard at the courthouse at 1100 Van Ness Avenue in downtown Fresno, part of the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno.
What happens at an arraignment?
The charges are formally read, and for some cases a judge sets or reviews bail. For many charges bail is already set from the county schedule, so release can happen before the arraignment.
What if a court date is missed?
Missing a date can trigger a bench warrant and put the bond at risk. Call us immediately if a date is missed so we can help address it before it grows into a bigger problem.