Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center, County courthouse in Los Angeles, California, US.
The Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center is a modern courthouse with 20 floors in downtown Los Angeles that handles criminal cases for the county. The building contains multiple courtrooms equipped for daily legal proceedings.
The courthouse opened in 1972 and replaced the historic Red Sandstone Courthouse that occupied the same location from 1891 to 1936. This move represented a major upgrade to how the city handled its criminal justice system.
The building takes its name from Clara Shortridge Foltz, a pioneering lawyer who fought to establish public defender offices on the West Coast. Her name reflects the role women played in shaping the American justice system.
The building is open weekdays and has security checkpoints that all visitors must pass through. Plan extra time for lines and bring a valid ID, especially if you plan to visit a courtroom.
The building has been the site of several high-profile criminal trials that drew national attention and shaped American justice. These cases made the location a significant part of modern legal history.
Location: California
Inception: 1972
Official opening: October 26, 1972
Floors above the ground: 20
Elevators: 12
GPS coordinates: 34.05500,-118.24300
Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:27
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