The Challenge
In a first-of-its-kind criminal prosecution in California, a church pastor was charged with a misdemeanor for hosting an outdoor worship and baptism service near the Huntington Beach Pier. The service occurred during COVID-19 restrictions when indoor church gatherings were prohibited. Authorities alleged the event violated the Huntington Beach Municipal Code by holding a “large scale event” without a permit, and the pastor was ordered to appear in Orange County Superior Court.
Our Strategy
Over nearly 10 months of legal proceedings, we demonstrated to the prosecutor that the pastor’s religious service did not constitute a criminal offense. We further showed that the outdoor worship and baptisms did not meet the legal definition of a “Permit Required” event under the city’s code. As a result, the case was dismissed, protecting the pastor’s rights and allowing him to continue his ministry without criminal liability.
Media Coverage
The Result
DISMISSED
Your Case Belongs at the Southwest Justice Center.
Your Defense Belongs Here.
If you were arrested in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, Winchester, or French Valley, your future will likely be decided at the Southwest Justice Center (SWJC) on Auld Road. In these courtrooms, local knowledge is the ultimate advantage. Since 1999, Nic Cocis has been a weekly fixture in the SWJC, appearing before the same judges and negotiating with the same Riverside County prosecutors for over 25 years. We don’t just know the law — we know the specific nuances, procedural quirks, and judicial tendencies of the Southwest District. Whether you are facing a felony or a misdemeanor, you need a firm that treats the Southwest Justice Center as its home turf.
