Oakland Office · Alameda County
Oakland Criminal Defense Attorneys
Arrested in Oakland or anywhere in Alameda County? Your first court date may be only days away.
- Free, confidential consultation, day or night
- Former prosecutors and a former police officer who know Alameda County’s courts
- A plan that protects your record, your job, and your immigration status
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Fact Checked
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Rabin Nabizadeh who has practiced law since 2004. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
If you or someone you love has been arrested or contacted by police in Oakland, the first days matter most. A free, confidential review tells you where your case stands, and our team starts working before the prosecution’s version of events hardens into the official story. From our office at 1970 Broadway, we represent clients throughout Oakland and Alameda County facing misdemeanor and felony charges.
Call (510) 877-8356 now to schedule a free, confidential consultation with an Oakland criminal defense attorney.
Protecting Your Future in Oakland
Where an Oakland case is filed and who is handling it shapes everything from bail to the first offer. Our attorneys regularly handle matters involving:
Arrests and investigations involving the Oakland Police Department (OPD)
Court appearances through Alameda County Superior Court
Cases handled at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in downtown Oakland
Evidence tied to police reports, surveillance footage, witness statements, and search procedures
Negotiations with prosecutors seeking jail time, probation, restraining orders, or a felony record
Local experience can make a major difference, especially when your case involves immediate consequences like bail, no-contact orders, or conditions of release that affect where you can live and who you can speak to.
“Rabin Nabizadeh is one of the best lawyers in the Bay Area. I was going through one of the most difficult situations of my life. He laid out clear expectations for my case, let me know what documents and information I needed to provide and was able to have my case dismissed!” – Cindy L. in Oakland per Google review
Working With Summit Defense in Oakland
An arrest pulls your attention away from everything else. We take over the parts we can, keep you informed on the rest, and make sure nothing about your case catches you off guard.
We tell you how it really looks
Our advice is honest, even when it is not what you hoped to hear. We would rather lose a hire than sell false hope. You can talk to us free and in confidence at any hour.
Direct access to your lawyer
Clients get Rabin’s personal cell. Text him, call him, or email him. Our attorneys and paralegals stay in close contact as your Alameda County case moves forward.
A fixed fee with no surprises
We quote a fixed fee before you hire us, and payment plans are available.
Fewer trips to court
Alameda County can set a first court date within about 72 hours of arrest. On most misdemeanors we work to go to court in your place (domestic violence arraignments are the exception), and on felonies we ask the court for permission to proceed without you present under Penal Code section 977.
Handled quietly
Meet us downtown at 1970 Broadway, by video, or at your home or office, including after hours. We plan around your job, your license, and your immigration status, and we work alongside your immigration lawyer or accountant when needed.
Types of Criminal Charges We Take on in Oakland
Summit Defense represents clients accused of a wide range of criminal offenses in Oakland and throughout Alameda County. Each case requires a tailored approach based on the specific allegations, the available evidence, your background, and how the prosecution is choosing to proceed.
We regularly handle criminal matters throughout the Bay Area, helping clients like you fight for their rights.
DUI & Drug Offenses
We defend individuals facing allegations involving alcohol-related DUIs, drug impairment, prescription medications, and both simple possession and sales-related charges. Our focus is on how the stop was initiated, whether law enforcement followed proper procedures, and whether testing and evidence collection hold up under scrutiny.
Domestic Violence & Restraining Order Matters
Cases involving domestic disputes can quickly result in protective orders and restrictions that impact where you can live and who you can contact. We carefully analyze the claims being made, evaluate credibility on both sides, and identify any evidence that contradicts or weakens the allegations.
Assault, Battery & Violent Crime Charges
From lower-level altercations to serious felony accusations, we examine issues like intent, self-defense, conflicting witness accounts, and the reliability of physical evidence to build a strong defense strategy.
Theft, Fraud & Property Crimes
Our team handles everything from shoplifting and petty theft to more complex accusations such as burglary, robbery, identity theft, and financial fraud. We focus on challenging intent, questioning identification, and reviewing surveillance, records, and reported losses.
Sex Offense Cases
These allegations require a thoughtful and strategic response from the very beginning. We investigate timelines, review communications and digital evidence, assess forensic findings, and explore any potential motives behind the accusation.
White Collar and Career-Impact Cases
Charges like embezzlement and fraud often stem from workplace situations and involve detailed financial records or internal investigations. We help clients navigate both the criminal case and the potential professional consequences, developing a defense that accounts for both.
If you are being investigated or are unclear about what charges you may be facing, it is important to speak with a defense attorney as early as possible. Early intervention can make a significant difference in how a case develops or whether charges are filed at all.
Oakland Practice Areas
Meet Your Oakland Criminal Defense Team
When your case is in Alameda County, you work directly with the attorneys who handle our Oakland cases. Rabin Nabizadeh (practicing since 2004), Deepti Sethi (practicing since 2004), and Mario Andrews, a former police officer and prosecutor, defend clients at the Wiley W. Manuel and René C. Davidson courthouses in downtown Oakland.
Rabin Nabizadeh, Founding Partner
Rabin has practiced law since 2004, representing clients in California state and federal courts. He looks at every case through the lens of long-term consequences, including how a conviction can affect immigration status, a critical issue for non-citizen clients. He speaks Hebrew and Farsi, and he is a graduate of UCLA and of UC Hastings College of the Law, where he was named Best Oral Advocate in moot court.
Deepti Sethi
Deepti has practiced law since 2004. Before joining Summit Defense, she worked in the public interest, advocating for people up against large institutions, and she has testified before government committees in San Francisco and Washington, D.C. She is a graduate of UC Hastings College of the Law, where she won several academic and leadership awards, and of Hampshire College.
Mario Andrews
Mario is a former police officer, investigator, and prosecutor, so he knows how police build cases and how prosecutors evaluate them. That matters most early: when a case is still under investigation, he can anticipate the next steps and advise you before charges are filed. He served four years on Oakland’s Citizens’ Police Review Board, including a year as chair.
What to Expect After an Arrest in Oakland
Many clients call us immediately after an arrest because they don’t know what happens next. Others reach out after receiving a court date, learning about a warrant, or being contacted by a detective asking to “clear things up.” While every case is different, Oakland criminal cases often follow a general path.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking the case can be explained away quickly. Many people try to “help themselves” by giving statements to police, answering questions, or offering details they believe make them look cooperative.
In reality, even innocent or well-intended statements can be misunderstood or used against you later. The safest step is to speak with an attorney before discussing the case with anyone in law enforcement.
After an arrest, you may face:
- Booking and release (with bail, or release on your own recognizance)
- A court date for arraignment
- Conditions of release, such as stay-away orders, travel restrictions, or check-ins
- A no-contact order in domestic violence-related cases
- The beginning of formal evidence review and negotiations
Talk to an Oakland Defense Attorney Today
FAQs About Oakland Criminal Defense
What Should I Do if OPD Wants to Question Me?
You should not speak with the Oakland Police Department without a lawyer present. Even if you think you can explain the situation, statements can be misunderstood or used against you. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
Where Will My Oakland Criminal Case Be Heard?
Most Oakland criminal cases are heard in two downtown courthouses of the Alameda County Superior Court. Misdemeanor arraignments and pretrials, misdemeanor trials, and felony arraignments and pretrial hearings are held at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, 661 Washington Street. Felony preliminary hearings, felony motions, and criminal trials are held at the René C. Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street. Your paperwork will name the courthouse and department, and we will tell you what to expect there.
What Happens At Arraignment Hearings in Alameda County?
At arraignment, the court formally reads the charges and asks for a plea. This is not the time to argue your case. It’s usually the point where your attorney begins negotiating, requesting discovery, and setting the foundation of your defense strategy.
Can My Charges Be Reduced or Dismissed?
Yes, depending on the evidence and legal issues. Charges may be reduced or dismissed due to lack of proof, witness problems, constitutional violations, or improper procedures. The earlier a defense attorney reviews the case, the more options you may have.
How Long Does a Criminal Case Take in Oakland?
Some cases resolve quickly, while others may take months or longer depending on the court schedule, negotiations, evidence review, and whether the case goes to trial.
Will a Criminal Charge Affect My Job Or Housing?
It can. An arrest or conviction may show up in background checks and may affect employment, housing applications, and licensing opportunities. Your attorney should consider these consequences when negotiating any resolution.
What’s the Difference Between a Misdemeanor and a Felony?
Misdemeanors are generally less serious and carry lighter penalties. Felonies are more serious and can lead to state prison exposure and longer-lasting consequences. Some charges can be filed as either depending on the facts.
What Happens if I Miss a Court Date in Oakland?
Missing court can lead to a bench warrant and additional charges or penalties. If you missed a court appearance, contact an attorney immediately so the situation can be addressed as quickly as possible.
Do I Need a Lawyer if I’m Innocent?
Yes. Innocent people can still be charged, and criminal cases are not always resolved based on “common sense.” A defense attorney can protect your rights, challenge the evidence, and prevent mistakes that can lead to wrongful consequences.
Sentencing in Alameda County
How Oakland Cases Are Charged and Resolved Differently
Read our Bay Area sentencing analysis →- A new DA, a new direction. Ursula Jones Dickson was appointed in January 2025 and won the June 2026 primary outright, and her office is again filing sentencing enhancements and special allegations.
- Gun cases start at six months. The office’s stated position is six months in county jail, though a Penal Code 17(b) motion before the preliminary hearing has won some clients misdemeanor diversion.
- Court within 72 hours. Even if you bail out, the Alameda County Sheriff sets a first court date within about 72 hours, while most counties set it a month or more out. The DA does not always file by then, but often does, so your lawyer needs to start immediately.
- Higher bail. Alameda sets felony domestic violence bail at $50,000, double what many neighboring counties charge.
- Real alternatives. Early Intervention Court for young adults, Behavioral Health Court, Drug Court, Veterans Court, and mental health diversion.
How We Defend Oakland Cases
Every defense starts with the evidence. Oakland arrests often follow fast-moving incidents, and a police report can reduce a complicated situation to a few lines. We look for missing context, unlawfully obtained evidence, inconsistent witness accounts, and constitutional problems in the stop, search, or interrogation, and we move to suppress evidence when the law allows. Where the facts support it, we raise self-defense, alibi, or mistaken identity.
Most cases resolve without a trial, but the first offer from the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is rarely the best one. We weigh any plea against what it means for your record, your job, a professional license, housing, and immigration status, and we push for reduced charges, diversion, or a dismissal. When a case should be tried, we prepare it for trial from the start, including pretrial motions, preliminary hearings at the René C. Davidson Courthouse, and expert witnesses.
How to Protect Your Rights After an Oakland Arrest
If you’ve been arrested or contacted by police in Oakland, what you do next matters. People often make mistakes in the first 24 to 72 hours that are difficult to fix later.
To protect yourself:
- Stay silent and do not answer questions without an attorney
- Do not consent to searches or volunteer information
- Avoid discussing your case with anyone other than your lawyer
- Write down what happened as soon as possible
- Stay off social media and do not post about the incident
- Contact an experienced criminal defense attorney right away
Cooperation does not always protect you. In criminal defense, it is safer to exercise your rights and get legal representation before trying to explain anything.
How Alameda County Prosecutes and Resolves Criminal Cases
Where your case is filed can matter almost as much as the facts. Alameda County’s District Attorney’s Office has changed direction more than once in recent years: Ursula Jones Dickson was appointed in January 2025 and won the June 2026 primary outright with roughly 66% of the vote.
Enhancements are back. Under District Attorney Jones Dickson, the office is again filing enhancements and special allegations that add time to a sentence. That raises the stakes of the charging decision, and it makes early work on what gets filed, and what can be challenged at the preliminary hearing, more important.
Gun cases. The office’s stated position is that gun cases resolve with six months in county jail. That is the opening position, not always the outcome. In some gun cases we have filed a motion under Penal Code section 17(b) before the preliminary hearing to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor, and the court has granted misdemeanor diversion. Whether that is possible depends on the facts and your record.
Diversion and collaborative courts. Alameda County offers several alternatives to a conventional conviction, including an Early Intervention Court for young adults facing lower-level felonies, Behavioral Health Court, misdemeanor and felony Drug Court, Veterans Treatment Court, and mental health diversion under Penal Code section 1001.36. Many of these programs exclude gun, domestic violence, and sex-registration cases, so knowing which door is open in your case is part of the defense.
A court date within 72 hours. Even if you post bail, the Alameda County Sheriff gives you a first court date within about 72 hours. Most other Bay Area counties set that first date a month or more out, to give the District Attorney time to review the case. The DA does not always file charges by that first date, but often does, which leaves very little time to get a lawyer involved, gather your side of the story, and try to shape or prevent the charges before they are filed.
Bail. Alameda’s bail schedule sets felony domestic violence bail at $50,000, double what many neighboring counties charge.
For the full comparison of DAs, budgets, and outcomes across eight Bay Area counties, read our analysis, Sentencing Disparities in Bay Area Counties.
Areas We Serve in Alameda County
Our Oakland criminal defense lawyers represent clients in every city and community in Alameda County, including:
- Alameda
- Albany
- Ashland
- Berkeley
- Castro Valley
- Cherryland
- Dublin
- Emeryville
- Fairview
- Fremont
- Hayward
- Livermore
- Newark
- Piedmont
- Pleasanton
- San Leandro
- San Lorenzo
- Sunol
- Union City
Oakland Criminal Courts and Jail
Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, 661 Washington Street, Oakland, CA 94607. Misdemeanor arraignments and pretrials, misdemeanor trials, felony arraignments and pretrial hearings, and collaborative courts such as misdemeanor mental health diversion.
René C. Davidson Courthouse, 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612. The criminal master calendar, felony preliminary hearings, felony law and motion, and criminal trials.
Santa Rita Jail, 5325 Broder Boulevard, Dublin, CA 94568. Since the Glenn E. Dyer jail in downtown Oakland closed in 2019, people held in custody in Alameda County are housed at Santa Rita Jail.
Driving Directions To Our Oakland Criminal Law Office
From North Oakland (North)
Head south on Broadway, passing Temescal and Mosswood Park. Continue toward downtown Oakland, passing Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center. Our office is located at 1970 Broadway, near the intersection with 20th Street.
From Berkeley (East)
Take Shattuck Avenue or Telegraph Avenue south toward Oakland, passing UC Berkeley. Continue into downtown Oakland, then turn onto Broadway. Head south to 1970 Broadway. Our office will be on your left near 20th Street.
From Alameda (South)
Drive north via Webster Street or take I-880 North toward Oakland. Exit at Broadway and continue north into downtown. Pass Lake Merritt, then continue to 1970 Broadway. Our office is located on the right near 20th Street.
From West Oakland (West)
Take I-880 North and exit at Broadway. Continue on Broadway heading north, passing Jack London Square and downtown Oakland. Our office will be on your right at 1970 Broadway.
Let us help you fight for your future.
When you or a loved one has been charged with a crime, you need to act quickly. Your future depends on the kind of defense you can build, and time is not on your side. Connecting with an Oakland criminal defense lawyer from Summit Defense can give you a better chance at getting your charges dropped, reduced, or dismissed altogether. We offer in-office visits, but you are welcome to request in-home consultations.
Contact Us Now For a Free Consultation