If you live or work in Santa Ana, you know it’s the center of Orange County. It’s a busy hub of culture, community, and government. But like any big city, it has a complicated relationship with crime. If you’re worried about the crime stats or, worse, you’ve been accused of a crime here, you’re in the right place.
This isn’t about fear. It’s about knowing what’s really on. We’re going to break down the most common criminal charges filed right here in Santa Ana, using the official numbers. We’ll also see how our city stacks up against the rest of the country. At Manshoory Law Group, we’re in the Santa Ana courthouse every day fighting these exact charges. We know this system inside and out.
Crime in Santa Ana: What the Numbers Reveal
So, what’s really happening on our streets? Let’s skip the speculation and look at the hard data. The Santa Ana Police Department’s 2023 Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Annual Statistical Report is a scorecard of what residents are dealing with.
Here are the most frequent offenses:
- Theft (Larceny/Embezzlement): This was the #1 crime with 3,878 cases. It’s a huge category, covering everything from professional crews hitting retail stores to someone swiping a package off your porch.
- Drug-Related Offenses: Cops reported 2,138 drug cases, making it the second most common charge. This shows a continued focus by law enforcement on narcotics.
- Vandalism: Destruction of property, from graffiti to slashed tires, accounted for 1,973 cases.
- Assault: This is a big one. There were 1,628 cases of simple assault and intimidation, plus another 1,165 cases of the more serious aggravated assault.
Now for the part that really matters: the trends. The good news? Homicides dropped by a massive 77%. That’s a huge win for the community.
But other numbers went the wrong way. Robberies shot up by 22%. And even more concerning, aggravated assaults surged by a huge 36% in just one year. For property crime, the main story is auto theft, which climbed by 7%, putting every car owner on edge.
How Santa Ana’s Crime Rates Compare Nationally
Okay, so those are the local stats. How does Santa Ana stack up against the rest of the country? What happens here is often the opposite of the national trend.
Violent Crime: We’re Going the Wrong Way
The national trend for violent crime is actually getting better. The FBI’s 2023 data shows robbery and assault went down across the U.S.
But not here. In Santa Ana, robberies went up 22% and aggravated assaults went up 36%. The reality is simple: the risk of a violent encounter is higher here than the national average.
Auto Theft: It’s a California Problem
That 7% jump in car thefts feels personal when it’s your car that’s gone. But this problem is bigger than just Santa Ana. It tracks with a statewide trend. California has been a hotspot for auto theft, so what we’re seeing is part of a larger, regional issue.
Context is everything. Santa Ana is a dense, urban city with over 330,000 people. A dense city creates more friction: more disputes, more road rage, and more opportunities for crime. High arrest numbers can also be a product of proactive policing—SAPD’s targeted enforcement can make certain stats look higher than in cities with a less aggressive approach.
Common Criminal Charges We Handle in Santa Ana
The official reports confirm what we see every day. Our clients are regular people who find themselves in bad situations. Here are the charges we handle most often in the Santa Ana courthouse:
- DUI Offenses: Maybe you had a couple of drinks with dinner downtown and get caught in a weekend DUI checkpoint on Bristol. With major freeways like the I-5 and SR-55 meeting here, DUI patrols are everywhere.
- Drug Possession: A simple traffic stop for a broken taillight can turn into a drug case fast. An officer says they smell something or see a baggie in your console, and next thing you know, your car is being searched.
- Domestic Violence: A bad argument with your partner gets loud and a neighbor calls 911. Once the police show up, an arrest is almost guaranteed if they see any sign of a fight. The DA takes these cases very seriously.
- Theft & Shoplifting: This is the city’s most common charge. We see it all: from a teenager making a dumb mistake at MainPlace Mall, to an employee accused of taking money from the register.
- Assault & Battery: With aggravated assaults up 36%, these charges are on the rise. A bar fight in the DTSA nightlife scene or a road rage incident on the 55 freeway can lead to felony charges that threaten your freedom.
- Juvenile Offenses: We represent students and young people facing charges for many of the offenses listed above. A mistake shouldn’t ruin a young person’s future, and we work to navigate the separate juvenile justice system to protect them.
- Expungements: Good people with an old conviction deserve a second chance. We help many Santa Ana clients clean their records. Expunging an old theft or drug charge is the key to a better job, better housing, and a fresh start.
Why Local Experience Matters in Santa Ana Criminal Cases
If you get charged with a crime in Santa Ana, your case goes to one place: the Central Justice Center. This isn’t just another courthouse; it’s the busiest in all of Orange County. An out-of-town lawyer is at a serious disadvantage. An experienced local Santa Ana criminal defense attorney knows the specific tendencies of the judges and DAs—who is reasonable, who plays hardball, and what arguments work in their courtrooms. This includes knowing about specific diversion programs that can keep a client out of jail, options other lawyers might not even know exist. Defending against common charges requires knowing what works in this city, not just in theory.
Why Santa Ana Clients Trust Manshoory Law Group
- 24/7 Availability: We’re here for you when an arrest happens in Santa Ana.
- Deep Knowledge of the Central Justice Center: We are in this courthouse daily.
- Former Prosecutor Insight: We understand how the other side builds its case.
- 10+ Years in Southern California Courts: A decade of experience defending clients.
- Multilingual Legal Team: Ensuring clear communication for Santa Ana’s diverse community.
- Customized Strategies: Your case is unique, and your defense will be too.
FAQs: Santa Ana Criminal Charges
What types of charges are most common in Santa Ana?
The official 2023 police report says larceny (theft), drug offenses, and assault are the most common. Theft is #1 by a lot.
Which court handles my case if I’m arrested in Santa Ana?
State criminal cases go to the Orange County Superior Court’s Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Drive West. Federal charges are different; they go to the Ronald Reagan Federal Building.
Do I have to go to court in person?
For many misdemeanors, no. Your lawyer can go for you so you don’t have to miss work. But for any felony charge, you absolutely have to be there in person for all the important dates.
What if I can’t afford a private attorney?
You can ask the court to appoint a lawyer from the Orange County Public Defender’s office. You’ll have to prove you can’t afford to hire one on your own by submitting detailed financial information to the court.
Can I clear my record after my case is over?
Yes. In California, you can often get a conviction expunged. This basically dismisses the case after the fact, which helps a ton with getting a job or finding housing. For most private employers, it’s like it never happened.
Arrested in Santa Ana? Contact Us Today.
When you’re arrested, the clock starts ticking. Evidence disappears and your options shrink. The prosecution is already building its case against you. The best thing you can do is act fast. The sooner we start building your defense, the better your chances are.
References:
Santa Ana Police Department. (2023). Santa Ana Police Department Uniform Crime Reporting Annual Statistical Report 2023. Retrieved from https://storage.googleapis.com/proudcity/santaanaca/2022/11/SantaAnaNIBRSAnnualReport_2023.pdf
Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2024, September 23). FBI Releases 2023 Crime in the Nation Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-releases-2023-crime-in-the-nation-statistics
Superior Court of California, County of Orange. (2025). Central Justice Center. Retrieved from https://www.occourts.org/location/central-justice-center
United States District Court, Central District of California. (2025). Ronald Reagan Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse. Retrieved from https://www.cacd.uscourts.gov/locations/santa-ana-courthouse
Manshoory Law Group, APC. (2025). Manshoory Law Group, APC. Retrieved from https://manshoorylaw.com/
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2018). Proactive Policing: Effects on Crime and Communities. The National Academies Press. Retrieved from https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/24928/chapter/1