1. Law Offices of Robert J. Beles
Practice Focus: Homicide defense, sex offense defense, juvenile offenses, appeals, violent crimes, federal criminal defense
Case Types Handled: Murder, manslaughter, attempted murder, sex crimes, rape, child molestation, sex offender registration matters, juvenile delinquency, federal offenses, robbery, assault
Legal Services: Trial defense, appeals, motion to suppress, preliminary hearings, sex offender registration modifications, post-conviction relief, record expungement, jury trials
Background: Robert J. Beles has practiced criminal defense for over 40 years. He served as an Assistant Public Defender in Alameda County from 1968 to 1979. Both Robert J. Beles and Anne C. Beles are Certified Criminal Law Specialists by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. The firm maintains a 10.0 Superb rating on Avvo and an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Robert Beles has successfully represented hundreds of homicide defendants and achieved notable results in sex offender registration removal cases.
Location: Oakland Office: 1 Kaiser Plaza, Suite 2300, Oakland, CA 94612; Fremont Office: 39560 Stevenson Place, Suite 217, Fremont, CA 94536
Contact: Oakland: (510) 836-0100 | Fremont: (510) 745-7755 | https://www.beleslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available; Spanish-speaking services offered
2. Law Offices of Leon J. Mezzetti Jr.
Practice Focus: DUI/DWI defense, drug offenses, assault and battery, domestic violence, traffic defense, DMV hearings
Case Types Handled: Drunk driving, drug possession, drug sales and trafficking, assault, battery, domestic violence, reckless driving, traffic violations, commercial driver violations, misdemeanors, felonies
Legal Services: Trial defense, DMV administrative hearings, preliminary hearings, plea negotiations, motion practice, probation violation defense
Background: Leon J. Mezzetti Jr. holds California State Bar number 71945. He graduated from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1999. He served as a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County before transitioning to criminal defense. He has practiced for over 30 years. He is fluent in Spanish. His office is conveniently located near the Fremont courthouse.
Location: 39300 Civic Center Drive, Suite 260, Fremont, CA 94538
Contact: (510) 791-1836 or (877) 791-1836 | https://www.mezzetti.com
Consultation: Free consultation available
3. The Arant Law Group, APC
Practice Focus: DUI defense, criminal defense, traffic offenses
Case Types Handled: Driving under the influence, misdemeanor offenses, traffic violations, drug offenses
Legal Services: Trial defense, DMV hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, license suspension hearings
Background: Adam Allen Arant earned both his Bachelor of Arts degree and Juris Doctor from the University of California, Davis. He previously practiced with Diepenbrock Harrison in Sacramento before establishing his criminal defense practice. The firm focuses on DUI and criminal defense matters throughout the Bay Area.
Location: Serves Fremont and the San Francisco Bay Area
Contact: (888) 561-2002 | https://www.arantlaw.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation information
4. Ginny Walia Law Offices
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, family law, personal injury, trial litigation
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, domestic violence, assault, theft crimes, drug offenses
Legal Services: Trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, jury trials, post-conviction matters
Background: Ginny Walia has over 20 years of courtroom experience. She has appeared as a legal analyst on NBC, CBS, and MSNBC. She represents clients throughout the San Francisco Bay Area including Alameda County, Contra Costa County, Santa Clara County, San Mateo County, and San Francisco County.
Location: San Francisco Bay Area (serves Fremont and Alameda County)
Contact: Contact through firm website | https://walialawfirm.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation availability
5. Earl L. Jiang, Attorney at Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense, personal injury, family law, estate planning
Case Types Handled: Misdemeanors, felonies, DUI/DWI, theft, assault, drug offenses, traffic violations
Legal Services: Trial defense, plea negotiations, motion practice, case evaluation
Background: Earl L. Jiang has practiced law for over 20 years. He handles each case personally and provides clients with direct access to their attorney. He is a member of the Washington Township Bar Association, the Alameda Bar Association, and the State Bar of California. His practice emphasizes competitive rates and straightforward client communication.
Location: 39111 Paseo Padre Parkway, Suite 223, Fremont, CA 94538
Contact: Contact through office | https://earljiang.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation information
Criminal Defense Regulations in California
Bar Admission Requirements: The State Bar of California regulates attorney licensing and discipline. Applicants must pass the California Bar Examination, one of the most challenging in the nation. Applicants undergo character and fitness evaluation. California requires a Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) score of 86 or higher. Attorneys admitted in other states may qualify for reciprocal admission under limited circumstances.
Specialty Certifications: The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization offers the Certified Criminal Law Specialist designation. Requirements include substantial involvement in criminal law practice, favorable peer evaluations, and passing a written examination. Only attorneys holding this certification may advertise as a Certified Criminal Law Specialist in California.
Mandatory Continuing Legal Education: California requires 25 CLE credits every 3 years. Required credits include 4 hours in Legal Ethics, 2 hours in Competence Issues (mental health, substance abuse, stress management), 1 hour in Elimination of Bias, 1 hour in Implicit Bias, 1 hour in Technology, and 1 hour in Civility. A minimum of 12.5 hours must be participatory programs; a maximum of 12.5 hours may be self-study. Compliance groups are determined by last name: Group 1 (A-G), Group 2 (H-M), Group 3 (N-Z). Compliance deadlines are March 29 of the reporting year. New attorneys must complete the 10-hour New Attorney Training Program within their first year.
Public Defender System: The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office provides representation to indigent defendants in criminal cases. Eligibility is determined at arraignment based on financial qualification. Defendants who do not qualify for public defender services may seek private counsel or apply for court-appointed counsel under specific circumstances.
Felony Classification System: California does not use a categorical felony classification system like some states. Instead, specific penalties are defined in individual criminal statutes. Felonies generally carry sentences of imprisonment in state prison for 16 months, 2 years, or 3 years, though specific crimes carry different ranges. California utilizes determinate sentencing for most felonies, with the court selecting a low, middle, or high term based on aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
Wobbler Offenses: Many California offenses are classified as “wobblers,” meaning prosecutors can charge them as either felonies or misdemeanors based on the circumstances and the defendant’s criminal history. Common wobbler offenses include assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, grand theft, and certain drug offenses. After sentencing on a wobbler, defendants may petition to reduce a felony conviction to a misdemeanor under Penal Code Section 17(b).
Three Strikes Law: California’s Three Strikes Law (Penal Code Sections 667 and 1170.12) imposes enhanced sentences for defendants with prior serious or violent felony convictions. A second strike doubles the sentence for a new felony conviction. A third strike for a serious or violent felony can result in 25 years to life imprisonment. Proposition 36 (2012) and Proposition 47 (2014) modified the Three Strikes Law to limit third-strike life sentences primarily to serious or violent offenses.
Bail and Pretrial Release: California uses county-specific bail schedules to set presumptive bail amounts for each offense. Judges may deviate from the schedule based on flight risk, public safety concerns, and the specific circumstances of the case. Following In re Humphrey (2021), California courts must consider a defendant’s ability to pay when setting bail and must consider non-monetary release conditions.
Expungement and Record Relief: California Penal Code Section 1203.4 allows defendants who successfully complete probation to petition for dismissal of their conviction (commonly called expungement). Upon granting the petition, the court sets aside the guilty plea or verdict and dismisses the case. Certain offenses are ineligible, including most sex offenses requiring registration. Proposition 47 allows resentencing for certain drug and theft offenses and reclassifies some offenses from felonies to misdemeanors.
Discovery Rules: California’s discovery rules require broad disclosure by both prosecution and defense. Prosecutors must disclose all evidence, including exculpatory material (Brady material), prior to preliminary hearing. Defense attorneys may file motions under Pitchess v. Superior Court to obtain police officer personnel records showing misconduct relevant to the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Fremont criminal cases heard?
Criminal cases arising in Fremont are heard at the Fremont Hall of Justice, which is part of the Alameda County Superior Court system. The court is located at 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538. Misdemeanor and felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials are conducted at this location. Some cases may be transferred to the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland depending on case type and judicial assignment.
What happens at an arraignment in Alameda County?
At arraignment, the court formally advises you of the charges, your constitutional rights, and the potential penalties. You will enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. The court addresses bail and may release you on your own recognizance, set cash bail, or remand you to custody. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may apply for representation by the Alameda County Public Defender. The court will set dates for future proceedings including preliminary hearing (for felonies) or trial (for misdemeanors).
What are the penalties for a first-time DUI in California?
A first-time DUI in California (Vehicle Code Section 23152) is a misdemeanor carrying potential penalties of 3 to 5 years informal probation, up to 6 months in county jail (though jail time is often minimal or suspended for first offenses), fines ranging from $390 to $1,000 plus penalty assessments that increase the total to approximately $1,800 to $2,600, mandatory attendance at a DUI education program (typically 3 months), and a 6-month driver’s license suspension (restricted license may be available). Aggravating factors such as high blood alcohol content, accidents, or refusal to submit to chemical testing can increase penalties.
Can I get my felony reduced to a misdemeanor in California?
If your felony conviction is for a “wobbler” offense, you may petition to reduce it to a misdemeanor under Penal Code Section 17(b). Eligibility typically requires successful completion of probation or early termination of probation, no new criminal charges, and the original offense being one that could have been charged as a misdemeanor. Some felonies reduced by Proposition 47 can also be petitioned for resentencing. A reduction to misdemeanor restores certain civil rights, including the right to own firearms (for most offenses) and eliminates the requirement to disclose a felony conviction on most job applications.
What diversion programs are available in Alameda County?
Alameda County offers several diversion and alternative sentencing programs. Drug Court provides treatment-based supervision for defendants with substance abuse issues. Mental Health Court serves defendants with mental health diagnoses. Veterans Court addresses the needs of veterans in the criminal justice system. Neighborhood Court offers restorative justice alternatives for low-level offenses. Pre-Trial Diversion under Penal Code Section 1001.36 allows defendants with qualifying mental health conditions to receive treatment in lieu of prosecution. Deferred Entry of Judgment under Penal Code Section 1000 is available for certain first-time drug offenders. Eligibility varies by program, and participation typically results in case dismissal upon successful completion.