1. Law Offices of Beles & Beles
Practice Focus: Criminal defense including sex crimes, state and federal criminal charges, and criminal appeals with California State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialists.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, sex crimes, murder, assault, domestic violence, drug offenses, theft, fraud, white collar crimes, juvenile offenses, and immigration consequences of criminal convictions.
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, grand jury representation, federal court representation, state court representation, criminal appeals, habeas corpus petitions, and post-conviction relief.
Background: Robert J. Beles has built a reputation as a criminal defense attorney in the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Area over more than 40 years. Both Robert Beles and Anne Beles are certified as Criminal Law Specialists by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. The firm has achieved notable results including a California Supreme Court habeas corpus writ (a rare outcome) resulting in a new sentence for a juvenile convicted of murder, and consecutive not guilty verdicts on separate criminal jury trials involving sex crimes in Contra Costa and Santa Clara counties. The firm includes criminal appeals attorneys and immigration attorneys addressing collateral consequences of criminal convictions.
Location: Oakland, CA (serves Alameda County and San Francisco Bay Area)
Contact: https://beleslaw.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation availability.
2. Law Offices of Randy Sue Pollock
Practice Focus: Criminal defense including white collar crime, federal criminal defense, tax crimes, securities fraud, and state criminal matters.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, white collar crimes, tax fraud, securities violations, money laundering, Internet crimes, drug offenses, assault, domestic violence, theft, and fraud.
Legal Services: Federal court defense, state court defense, grand jury representation, pre-indictment representation, trial defense, motion practice, plea negotiations, record expungement, and record sealing.
Background: Randy Sue Pollock has been practicing criminal defense in the Oakland area for decades. She represents clients in state and federal courts on charges ranging from minor offenses to serious felonies. Accolades include 2024 Top White Collar Attorneys by Daily Journal, 2021 Judge Learned Hand Award from the American Jewish Committee, selection to Super Lawyers from 2012-2025, 2011 Lawyer of the Year by Recorder Legal Journal, and AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 2001. She is a member of the California Attorneys for Criminal Justice and serves on the Board of Directors of the American Jewish Committee Arabian Gulf Institute.
Location: Oakland, CA
Contact: https://www.rspollocklaw.com
Consultation: Contact office to schedule consultation.
3. Morris Law (Seth Morris, Attorney)
Practice Focus: Criminal defense representation for serious and complex criminal cases in California trial courts and federal courts throughout the Bay Area.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, federal crimes, murder, assault, domestic violence, sex crimes, gun crimes (unlawful possession, assault with deadly weapon), drug offenses, theft, robbery, juvenile offenses, and DUI.
Legal Services: Trial defense, bail reduction hearings, preliminary hearings, motion practice including motions to suppress, plea negotiations, and juvenile defense.
Background: Seth Morris is a criminal defense attorney in Berkeley, California, who represents individuals accused of crimes throughout the nine Bay Area counties in California trial courts and federal courts. He has worked in the California legal system as a public defender, litigation associate, and private criminal defense attorney. His practice focuses on serious and complex criminal cases. He has secured dismissals and no-time deals on murder cases and cases where clients faced life in prison. He has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers as one of California’s Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Location: Berkeley, CA (serves Oakland and throughout Alameda County)
Contact: https://www.morrisdefense.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation availability.
4. Darryl A. Stallworth Law Office
Practice Focus: Criminal defense with focus on white collar crimes, gang-related crimes, drug charges, sexual assault defense, and Title IX defense.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, white collar crimes, gang-related offenses, drug possession and sales, sexual assault, domestic violence, theft, fraud, and Title IX allegations in educational settings.
Legal Services: Trial defense, grand jury representation, plea negotiations, alternative sentencing advocacy, Title IX defense representation, and community education workshops.
Background: Darryl A. Stallworth has over 15 years of experience working at the District Attorney’s Office before transitioning to criminal defense. He earned his B.A. in political science from UC Berkeley, where he also played football. He conducts workshops across Northern California to educate students, parents, and faculty about Title IX matters. His practice focuses on protecting the rights of the criminally accused in Oakland and Alameda County.
Location: Oakland, CA (serves Alameda County)
Contact: https://www.your-defense.com
Consultation: Contact office for consultation availability.
5. Torres & Caraves Law
Practice Focus: Criminal defense representation with over 40 years of combined experience serving the Oakland Bay Area.
Case Types Handled: Felonies, misdemeanors, DUI, sex crimes, weapons offenses, domestic violence, assault, drug offenses, theft, robbery, and traffic violations.
Legal Services: Trial defense, preliminary hearings, motion practice, plea negotiations, and representation in English and Spanish.
Background: Torres & Caraves Law has built a reputation for trial-tested defense in the Oakland Bay Area. The firm has more than 40 years of combined experience and represents clients from initial arrest through trial or dismissal. The attorneys serve clients in English and Spanish and focus on explaining defense options honestly to help guide clients through the criminal justice process.
Location: Oakland, CA
Contact: (510) 953-5551 | https://www.tcdefenselawyers.com
Consultation: Free consultation available.
Criminal Defense Regulations in California
California attorneys must be admitted to the State Bar of California to practice law. The California Bar Exam is offered twice annually in February and July, and California has adopted the Uniform Bar Examination. Applicants must pass the bar examination and a separate character and fitness evaluation.
The State Bar of California offers Criminal Law Specialist certification through the Board of Legal Specialization. To become certified, attorneys must demonstrate substantial experience in criminal law, pass a written examination, and receive favorable evaluations from attorneys and judges familiar with their work. Less than 1% of California attorneys hold this certification.
California requires all active attorneys to complete 25 hours of Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) every three years. Requirements include at least 12.5 participatory hours, 4 hours of legal ethics, 2 hours on elimination of bias (including 1 hour on implicit bias and bias-reducing strategies), 2 hours on competence issues (including 1 hour on substance abuse or mental health prevention and detection), 1 hour on technology in law practice, and 1 hour on civility in the legal profession. Certified specialists must complete additional advanced-level education in their specialty area.
The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office provides representation for defendants who cannot afford private counsel. Eligibility is determined based on financial need.
Attorney advertising in California is regulated by the California Rules of Professional Conduct. Attorneys may advertise but must not make false or misleading statements. All communications must include the name of at least one attorney responsible for the content.
California maintains strong attorney-client privilege protections under Evidence Code Section 954, which protects confidential communications between attorney and client from disclosure.
California uses a determinate sentencing system for most felonies, with crimes classified by punishment range rather than letter or number grades. Felonies are punishable by imprisonment in state prison, while misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in county jail. “Wobbler” offenses can be charged as either felonies or misdemeanors at the prosecutor’s discretion.
California does not have the death penalty in effect. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom issued an executive moratorium on executions.
California provides expungement and record sealing under Penal Code Section 1203.4 for eligible offenders who have completed probation. Under SB 731 (Clean Slate Law), effective 2023, certain non-serious, non-violent, non-sexual felony convictions are automatically sealed after completion of sentence and a waiting period without new convictions. Proposition 47 (2014) reclassified certain felonies to misdemeanors and allows retroactive resentencing.
California has various mandatory minimum sentencing provisions, including enhancements for firearm use and prior strike convictions under the Three Strikes Law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are criminal cases in Oakland heard?
Criminal cases arising in Oakland are heard in Alameda County Superior Court. There are two primary courthouse locations for criminal matters: the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse at 661 Washington Street in Oakland (for arraignments and some preliminary hearings) and the René C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street in Oakland (for felony trials and other proceedings). Cases from eastern Alameda County may also be heard at the East County Hall of Justice at 5151 Gleason Drive in Dublin.
How does bail work in Alameda County for Oakland arrests?
Following an arrest in Oakland, you will typically be booked at the Alameda County Santa Rita Jail in Dublin or the Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility in Oakland. Bail is set according to the Alameda County Bail Schedule, which establishes presumptive bail amounts for each offense. A judge may adjust bail at arraignment based on factors including flight risk, danger to the community, ties to the community, and criminal history. Alameda County also participates in pretrial services that may recommend release on own recognizance or supervised release for qualifying defendants. You may post bail through a bail bond company (typically 10% of the bail amount as a non-refundable fee), cash bail, or property bond.
What are the penalties for drug possession in California after Proposition 47?
Proposition 47 (2014) reclassified simple possession of most controlled substances for personal use from a felony to a misdemeanor under Health and Safety Code Section 11350. A first-time simple possession charge is typically a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000. In practice, many first-time offenders are eligible for diversion programs that lead to dismissal of charges upon successful completion. Possession with intent to sell remains a felony. Possession of more than one gram of certain substances or possession of date rape drugs may still be charged as felonies.
Does Alameda County offer diversion programs for criminal charges?
Alameda County offers several diversion programs. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office administers pretrial diversion programs for qualifying offenders. Drug Court provides intensive supervision and treatment for drug-related offenses. Mental Health Court serves defendants with diagnosed mental health conditions. Veteran’s Treatment Court provides specialized services for veterans. Community Justice Center in Oakland offers a problem-solving court approach for certain non-violent offenses. Neighborhood Court is a restorative justice program for low-level offenses where community members help determine appropriate accountability measures. Eligibility varies by program and depends on the offense charged, criminal history, and other factors. Successful completion typically results in dismissal of charges.
How can I get my criminal record expunged in Alameda County?
California offers several pathways to clear or limit access to criminal records. Under Penal Code Section 1203.4 expungement, if you successfully completed probation (or obtained early termination) and were not sentenced to state prison, you may petition to withdraw your guilty plea and have the case dismissed. For wobbler felonies, you may first request reduction to a misdemeanor under Penal Code Section 17(b). Under the Clean Slate Law (SB 731), eligible conviction records are automatically sealed by the California Department of Justice for non-serious, non-violent, non-sexual offenses after completion of sentence and a specified waiting period. To petition for expungement in Alameda County, you file a motion (Form CR-180) with the Alameda County Superior Court where your conviction occurred. There is a filing fee, though fee waivers are available for those who qualify. The Alameda County Public Defender’s Office and local legal aid organizations may provide assistance with expungement petitions.