Orange County Sheriff's Department - Laguna Niguel Station

If a loved one, a family member or you have been arrested by or are being investigated by the Laguna Niguel Station of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, it can cause a lot of apprehension, mostly just from fear of the unknown.  Moreover, one is dependent upon the honesty and competence of a sheriff’s deputy, who may or may not be experienced or have the same sense of urgency as you. 

 
Facing such a situation, knowing the bail amount (if any) associated with the offense or offenses at issue if police deny an own recognizance (OR) release may was that apprehension.  It is also helpful to know what evidence is needed to convict one for the crime or crimes that allegedly took place, the defenses possible and the sentence a judge can impose if one is convicted of the crime or crimes.  
We at Greg Hill & Associates believe it is smart to know a few more things before interacting with any branch of law enforcement.  It can be wise to know the size of the police or sheriff’s department, the area’s demographics, the most common types of crimes the department investigates and just a bit about the area’s history to make one’s communication with law enforcement more meaningful, more savvy and perhaps, more respectful.  This can lead to a better outcome than if one lacks such perspective.

This article is presented with these goals in mind.

The Laguna Niguel Station of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is a very small station with just 46 employees.  While no specific numbers are available, we estimate this means about 30 sworn police officers and 16 civilian support personnel are assigned to it. 

The Laguna Niguel Station of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for patrolling the City of Laguna Niguel, which is 14.79 square miles and has a population of 64,355 (as of the 2020 census).

Laguna Niguel has its origins in the Rancho Niguel Mexican land grant, which took place in 1821 after Mexico became independent from Spain and gave out land to those who had served in the Mexican government and military.  Of that land, which was acquired in 1959 by the Laguna Niguel Corporation, it was used to develop one of California's first master planned communities. 

As a predominantly residential city, Laguna Niguel serves as a bedroom community for the job centers of northern and central Orange County.  Laguna Niguel has a median household income 31 percent above the Orange County average and nearly double the U.S. average.  During 2009–2013, Laguna Niguel had a median household income of $99,771, with 6.3% of the population living below the federal poverty line. 

The city is known for its mild coastal climate, low crime rate, and its numerous parks and public trails over its hilly terrain.  The main thoroughfare is Crown Valley Parkway, which bisects Laguna Niguel roughly from southwest to northeast, linking the PCH in Dana Point to I-5 in Mission Viejo.  The other main roads are Alicia Parkway, Niguel Road, La Paz Road, and Moulton Parkway/Golden Lantern (north-south), and Aliso Creek Road, Marina Hills Drive, and Camino del Avion (east-west).  Due to the hilly local geography, Laguna Niguel's streets are not arranged in a grid pattern.

For arrests along the freeways crossing Laguna Niguel (the I-5 “San Diego Freeway” and SR-73, the San Joaquin Hills Toll Road), the California Highway Patrol (CHP) will normally handle this work, although one may be thereafter transported to the Laguna Niguel Station of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for processing, a breath test (if a DUI) and booking.  The person may also be held at the Laguna Niguel Station jail until bail is posted or the person is transferred to the bigger Orange County Jail in Santa Ana.

As of 2010, the city’s population was 72.5% non-Hispanic white, 8.7% Asian, 1.2% African American and 13.9% Hispanic.

Most cases arising out of Laguna Niguel are brought at the Harbor Justice Center (Newport Beach Courthouse), but some are also brought at the Central Justice Center at 700 Civic Center Driver West in downtown Santa Ana.  Cases that may be filed at the Central Justice Center instead of at the Harbor Justice Center (Newport Beach Courthouse) would be very serious cases needing specialized prosecutors trained in handling such cases.

Over the last 25 years, our office has handled perhaps 20 cases arising out of Laguna Niguel and brought in the Harbor Justic Center (Newport Beach Courthouse).  Such cases vary from DUI to domestic violence, possession of a controlled substance, to defrauding an innkeeper, to shoplifting.

For more information about being arrested and possibly facing a criminal case, please click on the following articles:

Below is the Google Map to the OCSD Laguna Niguel Station.