The workers at this courthouse are some of the most unhelpful and unpleasant I've ever dealt with…read more Many of them act impatient and rude toward people who are simply trying to handle their business. I once waited for hours, only to find out that a staff member had removed my ticket number from the system -- something that should never happen. I tried to stay patient, but when I finally asked about it (because I noticed basically all customers were now gone), they just told me it "wasn't in the system." The entire process was frustrating and unprofessional. The way this courthouse is run is a complete joke. If you can avoid coming here, do yourself a favor and do so.
My experience at the Orange County Courthouse was extremely disappointing. The staff and officers are often impatient and unprofessional, and many seem to forget that people come here already stressed and just trying to handle legal matters.
At one hearing, I came to help a friend by translating. Even though my English is fluent and my Spanish is limited, the black woman judge approved me to translate anyway. When I struggled a little, she stopped me abruptly, told me to leave, and then began speaking broken Spanish herself -- which made the whole situation confusing and unnecessary. I was also surprised because she isn't Hispanic but knew enough to not need a translator so I don't know why she allowed me to be one. It felt humiliating and disrespectful, especially since I was only trying to help.
After that, a courtroom Hispanic male officer asked me to leave completely and would not even allow me to sit quietly as a guest, even though other people were sitting and observing. He was being petty and abusing his little badge that gives him some sort of power, something he likely never has at home. The way both the judge and the officer handled the situation was completely unprofessional and made me feel publicly embarrassed for no reason.
The courthouse staff, in general, seem frustrated as well as MISERABLE and take it out on visitors. Overall, this courthouse needs serious improvement in professionalism and basic respect for the public.