George D. Carroll Courthouse in Richmond, CA

Address: 100 – 37th Street, Richmond, CA 94805 (entrance on Bissell Avenue)

Phone: (925) 608-1000

Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday (filing windows close at 4:00 p.m.; phones answered until 3:00 p.m.)

Court System: Contra Costa County Superior Court

The George D. Carroll Courthouse is the Contra Costa County Superior Court’s location in western Contra Costa County, named after Judge George D. Carroll, the first African American judge appointed in Contra Costa County. It serves the cities and communities of Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito, El Sobrante, Hercules, Pinole, Point Richmond, Crockett, Kensington, North Richmond, Port Costa, Rodeo, Rollingwood, and Tilden Park North. While the building’s address is 100 – 37th Street, the public entrance is around the corner on Bissell Avenue.

Types of Cases Heard

The Carroll Courthouse hears criminal, civil, small claims, and traffic matters. If you were arrested in West Contra Costa County — Richmond, San Pablo, El Cerrito, or surrounding communities — your case will most likely be heard here. Criminal cases include arraignments, preliminary hearings, motions, pretrial conferences, and trials for misdemeanors and felonies originating in this part of the county.

Cases from central Contra Costa County (Martinez, Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill) are generally heard at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse or A.F. Bray Courthouse in Martinez. East County cases (Antioch, Pittsburg, Brentwood, Oakley) are heard at the Richard E. Arnason Justice Center in Pittsburg.

What to Expect at a Hearing

Court hearings typically start at 9:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m., though specific times vary by department. Arrive at least 30 minutes early — there is only one entrance and everyone must go through security screening.

Department assignments are based on the type of case. Your hearing notice or attorney will tell you which department to report to.

A few things to know before your hearing:

• Dress conservatively — business or business-casual attire.
• Security screening operates like airport TSA — no weapons, sharp objects, or anything that could be construed as one.
• Phones must be silenced or turned off in courtrooms.
• The single entrance is accessible for people with disabilities.

Parking and Logistics

Free public parking is available in the lot surrounding the courthouse. Limited street parking is also available in the surrounding blocks. The courthouse is located in downtown Richmond, accessible via I-580 (Harbour Way exit) from the south or I-80 (Macdonald Avenue exit) from the north.

For public transit, the Richmond BART/Amtrak station is roughly a mile and a half away. AC Transit serves the surrounding area.

If you have a court appearance at the George D. Carroll Courthouse, our team is ready to help. We appear here regularly and know the courthouse’s departments, judges, and procedures. Learn how we defend Contra Costa County criminal cases.

Contact us for a confidential case evaluation.