KN Law Firm, APLC is headquartered in Glendale at 500 N Central Avenue and has represented clients at the Glendale Courthouse for years.

If you are facing criminal charges in Glendale, founding attorney Chris Nalchadjian offers the unusual combination of a local lawyer who walks to court and a seasoned trial attorney who has handled cases ranging from DUI to serious felonies throughout Los Angeles County.

This page is designed to be the single most useful resource for anyone dealing with Glendale crime data, courthouse questions, or criminal charges in the city.

Crime in Glendale: Overview

With roughly 196,000 residents, Glendale is the fourth-largest city in Los Angeles County and consistently ranks among the safer mid-size cities in California. According to FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data released in late 2025 (covering calendar year 2024), Glendale’s overall crime rate sits well below the national average in most categories, and well below the City of Los Angeles rate directly to the south. Glendale has earned national recognition for public safety — a 2024 national ranking placed it among the 150 safest cities in the United States.

That said, Glendale’s crime picture is not uniform. The Glendale Police Department, which fielded approximately 236 sworn officers and 359 total personnel in 2024, concentrates enforcement in a few predictable areas: the Brand Boulevard and Americana at Brand corridor for DUI and theft, Downtown Glendale and the Galleria for retail theft, and the 134 and 5 freeway corridors for vehicle-related offenses. Identity theft and financial fraud cases have grown with the city’s older resident base and its position as a regional commercial hub.

In 2024, Glendale saw 4 homicides (up from 2 in 2023), with overall crime up roughly 2% compared to the prior year according to FBI data compilations. Even with that modest increase, Glendale’s total crime rate runs roughly 30% below the national average.

Glendale’s courts and prosecutors take criminal charges seriously regardless of the city’s safety ranking. Cases filed here are handled in a close-knit courthouse where reputations among local attorneys, judges, and prosecutors matter — and where an attorney’s knowledge of local practice can change outcomes.

Glendale is also unique among LA County cities in its demographic makeup: the city is home to one of the largest Armenian-American populations in the United States, and that cultural fabric is reflected in the courthouse’s interpreter calendars, the makeup of the local bar, and the types of community-based cases that come through. The city also maintains a strong entertainment industry presence — DreamWorks Animation, the Walt Disney Company’s various Glendale facilities, and numerous post-production houses — which shapes both the professional profile of many defendants and the surrounding enforcement context.

Glendale Crime Statistics

Crime Type 2024 Incidents (est.) Per 100,000 Residents vs. National Average
Violent Crime ~390 ~199 Significantly Lower
Property Crime ~2,950 ~1,505 Lower
Homicide 4 2.0 Lower
Burglary ~350 ~179 Lower
Motor Vehicle Theft ~680 ~347 Lower
Data compiled from FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024 data, released October 2025) and Glendale Police Department public crime statistics. Glendale’s property crime is roughly 9% above the national average by FBI index, while violent crime runs well below. Last updated: April 2026.

For detailed year-over-year trends and bureau-level breakdowns, see our complete Glendale Crime Statistics 2025 guide.

Glendale Neighborhoods

Glendale’s neighborhoods range from dense downtown high-rises to quiet hillside enclaves. Each has distinct characteristics that affect both residential life and the types of police contact residents may encounter.

Downtown Glendale

Anchored by the Americana at Brand and the Glendale Galleria, Downtown Glendale is the city’s commercial and entertainment core. Brand Boulevard generates the bulk of the city’s DUI and retail theft cases, and Glendale PD concentrates enforcement here on weekend evenings.

Rossmoyne

Glendale’s largest historic district, Rossmoyne includes more than 500 homes in Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and French-inspired styles. It consistently ranks among the safest neighborhoods in the city, with violent crime rates far below the citywide average.

Adams Hill

A hillside neighborhood near Forest Lawn with scenic views, quick 2 Freeway access, and a close-knit character. Crime here tilts heavily toward property offenses — vehicle break-ins on the flats near S. Glendale Avenue and package theft in residential areas.

Verdugo Woodlands

Nestled against the Verdugo Mountains with top-rated schools and mature oak trees, Verdugo Woodlands is one of Glendale’s most family-oriented neighborhoods. Verdugo Park and Stengel Field are neighborhood hubs. Violent crime is rare; residential burglary is the main concern.

Montrose and Sparr Heights

Built between the 1920s and 1930s with Tudor and Spanish-style homes, the Montrose–Sparr Heights area has a small-town walkable character built around the Honolulu Avenue village and the Sunday farmer’s market. Low density and a strong community produce consistently low crime.

Northwest Glendale

Tree-lined streets, character homes, and proximity to the Burbank studios make Northwest Glendale one of the city’s most desirable residential pockets. Glendale PD response times here are among the fastest in the city.

Crescenta Highlands and La Crescenta-Montrose Area

The northern edge of Glendale transitions into La Crescenta-Montrose, an unincorporated area policed by LA County Sheriff’s Crescenta Valley Station. Trail access to the Verdugos and Deukmejian Wilderness Park define the area’s residential character.

For detailed safety analysis, see Safest Neighborhoods in Glendale.

Glendale Courthouse Information

Glendale criminal cases are heard at the Glendale Courthouse, part of the Los Angeles Superior Court’s North Central District.

  • Address: 600 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91206
  • Phone: (818) 265-6400
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Criminal Clerk: (818) 500-3541 (Room 154)

Important note about felony cases: The Glendale Courthouse handles misdemeanor arraignments, misdemeanor trials, DUI matters, traffic, and felony arraignments. However, felony cases filed in Glendale are transferred to the Burbank Courthouse (300 E. Olive Ave.) for preliminary hearing and beyond. Family law matters from Glendale are also heard in Burbank. Restraining orders and limited civil matters stay at Glendale.

Parking note: Glendale Courthouse does not have a public parking lot. All public parking is metered or unmetered street parking in the surrounding blocks — arrive early, especially on Monday mornings when arraignment calendars run heavy.

Attorney Chris Nalchadjian appears at the Glendale Courthouse regularly and is familiar with the judges, prosecutors, and bailiffs who staff it.

A note on which cases stay at Glendale vs. transfer:

  • Stay at Glendale: All misdemeanor cases (including DUI), traffic matters, infractions, restraining order petitions, and felony arraignments
  • Transfer to Burbank Courthouse after arraignment: Felony cases post-arraignment, family law matters, and civil unlawful detainers beyond limited jurisdiction

This structure matters for defense planning. A felony DUI defendant will see the inside of two courthouses — Glendale for the initial arraignment and Burbank for preliminary hearing, trial preparation, and trial. Knowing both venues, and the preferences of the judges in each, is part of effective representation.

Our Glendale Legal Services

KN Law Firm, APLC is physically based in Glendale and represents Glendale residents facing the full range of state and federal criminal charges. Our city-specific practice area pages explain how each charge is typically handled at the Glendale Courthouse.

DUI & Traffic Offenses

Violent Crimes

Property & Financial Crimes

Drug Crimes

Sex Crimes

Gun & Weapons Charges

Juvenile Defense

Record Clearing

Restraining Orders

Federal Crimes

Glendale Legal Resources

Learn more about crime, enforcement, and the legal process in Glendale:

Arrested in Glendale? Contact Us Today

If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges in Glendale, contact KN Law Firm, APLC today for a free consultation. As a Glendale-based firm, we understand the courthouse, the local prosecutors, and the considerations unique to defending cases in this city. Attorney Chris Nalchadjian will personally evaluate your case and explain your options.

Call us 24/7: (888) 950-0011

Our office is located at 500 N Central Avenue, Suite 650, Glendale, CA 91203 — minutes from the Glendale Courthouse. Contact us online for a free case evaluation.