Arrest and Booking Procedures
During arrest, police must read your Miranda rights and follow proper procedures. The booking process includes fingerprinting, photographs, and collecting personal information.
Officers might try to question you during this time. Remember, you have the right to stay silent and ask for a lawyer. We can protect you from making statements that could harm your case.
Our legal team reviews arrest procedures for any violations of your rights that could lead to evidence suppression.
Arraignment and Bail Hearings
At arraignment, you'll hear the formal charges and enter a plea. We stand with you in court, ensuring you know your options and protecting your rights.
Bail hearings decide if you can be released before your trial begins. We advocate for reasonable bail amounts or release on your recognizance when appropriate.
Our attorneys present compelling arguments about your community ties and flight risk factors to secure favorable bail conditions.
Pre-Trial Motions and Plea Bargains
We file strategic motions to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or limit prosecution testimony. These pre-trial actions often improve outcomes.
Our seasoned negotiators discuss plea options with prosecutors. We explain all offers clearly, helping you make informed decisions about accepting or rejecting deals.
Sometimes, the best strategy involves fighting charges through trial. We prepare thoroughly for either path.
Trial Preparation and Defense Strategies
Strong trial preparation includes interviewing witnesses, analyzing evidence, and developing compelling arguments. We anticipate prosecution tactics and prepare effective counters.
Our trial experience helps us select favorable jurors and present your case persuasively. We know how to connect with jurors and explain complex legal concepts clearly. Each trial strategy is tailored to your specific situation and the available evidence.
Your Rights When Facing Criminal Charges
The Constitution guarantees essential rights to criminal defendants. Knowing these rights helps protect your interests throughout legal proceedings.
Right to Remain Silent and Avoid Self-Incrimination
The Fifth Amendment protects you from self-incrimination. This right applies from arrest through trial and includes protection from forced confessions.
Police might pressure you to talk, but staying silent can't be used against you in court. We help you understand when and how to exercise this crucial right. Our attorneys shield you from questioning until we've reviewed your case and prepared proper responses.
Right to Legal Representation
The Sixth Amendment ensures that you have the right to a lawyer. This protection ensures you have skilled legal counsel fighting for your interests.
Public defenders often carry heavy caseloads that limit their attention to each case. Our private attorneys dedicate substantial time to building your defense. We provide competent representation through every stage of your case.
Right to a Fair and Speedy Trial
You deserve a prompt trial before an impartial jury. We work to prevent unnecessary delays while ensuring adequate preparation time.
Court procedures must treat you fairly and protect your rights. Our attorneys object to any violations and fight for proper treatment. We ensure you get to confront witnesses and present your full defense.
How an Oakland Criminal Defense Attorney Can Help

At Summit Defense, we put our extensive legal knowledge and trial experience to work protecting your rights and freedom.
Evaluating the Evidence Against You
We conduct thorough investigations in such cases, analyzing police reports, witness statements, and physical evidence. Our criminal lawyers expertly cross-examine witnesses and spot weaknesses in the prosecution's case. From white-collar crimes to sex crimes, we know how to successfully challenge criminal allegations.
Expert witnesses help us challenge questionable evidence and present alternative explanations. We build strong counter-arguments to prosecution theories.
Our detailed evidence review often reveals constitutional violations or procedural errors.
Negotiating for Reduced Charges or Dismissals
Strong negotiating positions result from careful case preparation and knowing your constitutional rights. We protect your right to a fair trial and leverage prosecution weaknesses to seek better outcomes. Our proven track record shows how often we get cases dismissed through strategic defense work.
Our reputation for trial success encourages prosecutors to offer favorable deals. Sometimes, we can get charges dropped entirely. We explore sentencing alternatives that better serve your interests, working to prevent a criminal conviction from impacting your criminal record.
Representing You in Court for a Strong Defense
Your defense benefits from our extensive trial experience and persuasive advocacy skills. We know how to present compelling arguments to judges and juries.
Our cross-examination techniques expose witness credibility issues and inconsistencies. We tell your story thoroughly and challenge prosecution evidence. Strategic objections protect your rights and preserve issues for possible appeal.
Potential Defenses to Criminal Charges

Different charges require different defense strategies. We select approaches based on your specific situation and available evidence.
Lack of Evidence and Burden of Proof
Prosecutors must show clear evidence of guilt and no reasonable doubts. We highlight gaps in evidence and alternative explanations that create reasonable doubt.
Missing elements of alleged crimes can lead to dismissals or acquittals. Our team identifies these weaknesses early. We hold prosecutors to their high burden of proof throughout your case.
Self-Defense and Justification
California law recognizes your right to defend yourself with reasonable force. We gather evidence supporting self-defense claims.
Justification defenses can apply to various charges. Our attorneys know how to present these arguments effectively. We explain why your actions were reasonable under the circumstances.
Alibi and Mistaken Identity Claims
Strong alibi evidence can defeat criminal charges. We collect witness statements, videos, and records proving you were elsewhere.
Eyewitness identifications often prove unreliable. We challenge identification procedures and present evidence of mistaken identity. Our team works to prove you couldn't have committed the alleged crime.