Oakland Criminal Defense Lawyers

If you or a loved one was just arrested in Oakland, the reality of the situation is this: the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office is already reviewing your case. Whether the arrest happened after a traffic stop on the 880, an incident in the Jack London Square entertainment district, or a call to OPD in East Oakland, the prosecution’s clock is running. Every hour that passes without a defense team working on your behalf is an hour the other side uses to build their case.

But the outcome is not predetermined. Good people find themselves facing criminal charges every day in Oakland, and the decisions you make right now will shape what happens next.

The Nieves Law Firm Criminal Defense Attorneys is one of the largest criminal defense teams in the Bay Area, and Oakland is our home. Our headquarters is here. Our attorneys walk the hallways of the René C. Davidson Courthouse daily. Criminal defense is all we do. It’s all we know. It’s all we focus on. When your career, your family, and your reputation are on the line, that focus matters.

Talk to our Oakland defense team now. Available 24/7.

Proven Results in Serious Cases

What does experienced defense actually look like? It looks like results. Our team has secured not guilty verdicts, dismissals, and reduced charges across the full spectrum of criminal cases in Alameda County, from DUI and domestic violence to murder and weapons offenses.

Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

Get a confidential case evaluation today.

Criminal Defense Lawyers in Oakland, CA

DUI Defense — Most people arrested for DUI in Oakland don’t realize they have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing before their license is automatically suspended. That administrative deadline runs independently of the criminal case, and missing it costs you leverage you can never get back. Our team handles both the DMV process and the criminal defense simultaneously so nothing falls through the cracks.

Domestic Violence Defense — A domestic violence arrest in Oakland moves fast. OPD has a mandatory arrest policy on DV calls, which means someone is leaving in handcuffs even when the situation is ambiguous or mutual. Within hours, you can be removed from your home, subject to an emergency protective order, and prohibited from possessing firearms. The DA’s dedicated DV unit will pursue charges even if the alleged victim recants. You need a defense team that understands how to challenge these cases from the very first hearing.

Drug Crimes Defense — There is a significant difference between how Oakland drug cases are prosecuted depending on how the charge is classified. Simple possession may qualify for diversion under PC 1000, keeping a conviction off your record entirely. But possession for sale or transportation charges carry felony exposure and prison time, and the DA’s office is treating fentanyl distribution cases with particular severity. The line between personal use and intent to sell often comes down to how evidence is interpreted, and that interpretation is where experienced defense makes the difference.

Violent Crimes Defense — What does a violent crime conviction actually mean for your future? If the charge qualifies as a strike under California’s Three Strikes law, it means every future felony conviction carries a presumptively doubled sentence. Carjacking, robbery, assault with a firearm: these are the kinds of charges where the stakes are measured in decades, not months. Our attorneys prepare violent crime cases with the understanding that trial may be the best option, and we build that preparation from day one.

Sex Crimes Defense — The margin for error in a sex crimes case is zero. A conviction can mean prison time, lifetime sex offender registration, and consequences that follow you permanently. Many of the sex crime cases we handle involve false accusations, misidentification, or situations far more complicated than the police report suggests. These cases demand meticulous investigation, expert witnesses, and a defense team that will not shy away from the complexity.

Weapons Charges Defense — Oakland is ground zero for firearms enforcement in Alameda County. OPD’s Ceasefire program and the DA’s office treat gun cases with an intensity that exceeds what you’d see in Fremont, Hayward, or any other city in the county. Carrying a loaded firearm, felon in possession, concealed carry violations: the prosecution pushes for maximum penalties, and gun enhancements can add years to a sentence. Our team knows how to challenge the stop, the search, and the seizure that led to the arrest.

Felony Defense — A felony charge changes the trajectory of your life in ways most people don’t fully appreciate until they’re facing one. Beyond prison time, a felony conviction affects professional licensing, housing applications, immigration status, and your ability to possess firearms. We approach every felony case with the depth of preparation it demands, because the consequences require nothing less.

Misdemeanor Defense — Do not make the mistake of treating a misdemeanor like a minor inconvenience. A misdemeanor conviction creates a criminal record that shows up on background checks, can trigger professional licensing consequences, and may affect immigration status. Our team fights misdemeanor cases with the same attention we bring to felonies, because the impact on your life is real.

Theft & Fraud Defense — Theft and fraud charges in Oakland range from shoplifting allegations to organized retail theft task force investigations. For working professionals, even a petty theft conviction can end a career. We evaluate every theft case for weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence, potential for charge reduction, and eligibility for diversion programs.

Juvenile Crimes Defense — When a young person faces charges in Oakland, the goal is not just resolving the case. It’s protecting their future. Juvenile cases in Alameda County offer more pathways to rehabilitation and record sealing than adult court, but only if the defense team understands how to navigate the juvenile justice system effectively.

Restraining Order Defense — Whether you’re seeking protection or responding to a restraining order petition filed against you, the outcome of this hearing has immediate consequences for where you can live, whether you can see your children, and whether you can possess firearms. Our team represents both petitioners and respondents in restraining order matters throughout Alameda County.

Expungement & Record Clearing — A past conviction doesn’t have to define your future. If you’ve completed your sentence, our team can evaluate whether you qualify for expungement under PC 1203.4, felony reduction under PC 17(b), or record sealing. In Oakland’s competitive job market, clearing your record can be the difference between moving forward and being held back.

Not All Defense Is Created Equal

There is a difference between an attorney who handles criminal cases among other things and a team that does criminal defense exclusively. That difference shows up in how a case is prepared, how it’s negotiated, and how it’s tried.

At The Nieves Law Firm Criminal Defense Attorneys, our Oakland clients get the resources of one of the largest criminal defense teams in the Bay Area. That means multiple attorneys collaborating on strategy, paralegals managing discovery and court filings, and investigators who can track down witnesses and evidence independently of what the police chose to include in their report.

So what does that look like in practice at the René C. Davidson Courthouse? It looks like attorneys who know which prosecutors handle which types of cases in Alameda County, who understand how the current DA’s office approaches plea negotiations after the leadership changes of 2025, and who recognize which judges are receptive to diversion arguments and which require a different approach entirely.

When you contact us, we don’t quote you a price thirty seconds after you describe your situation. We listen. We ask questions. We identify what the prosecution needs to prove and where their case has gaps. That’s the standard of experience and preparation you should expect from any firm you’re considering. Even ours.

Our Oakland Headquarters

Our Oakland office is not a satellite location. It’s where The Nieves Law Firm Criminal Defense Attorneys was built. Located at 160 Franklin Street, Suite 210, our headquarters sits minutes from the René C. Davidson Courthouse and the Alameda County DA’s office. When your case is called in an Oakland courtroom, your defense team isn’t driving in from another city. We’re already here.

The Nieves Law Firm Criminal Defense Attorneys Oakland office serves clients throughout Alameda County and the greater Bay Area from this location, with the deepest bench of any Nieves office. Our full team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff operates from this office, and we’re available around the clock. Se habla español.

What to Expect at the René C. Davidson Courthouse

Most Oakland criminal cases are heard at the René C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street in downtown Oakland. Plan to arrive early. Security screening lines can be long, particularly on Monday mornings and after holiday weekends.

Once inside, criminal matters are assigned to specific departments. Your attorney will know which department your case is in before you arrive. Arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials all take place in this building, and the Alameda County DA’s office and public defender are housed in the adjacent Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse complex.

Our attorneys appear at this courthouse regularly. If you have questions about what to wear, where to park, or what happens at your first hearing, we walk you through all of it before your court date.

Serving Oakland and Alameda County

Our team defends clients throughout Alameda County and the greater Bay Area. If you or a loved one is facing charges in a nearby community, we can help.

• Fremont Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Berkeley Criminal Defense Lawyers
• San Francisco Criminal Defense Lawyers
• San Jose Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Alameda County Criminal Defense Lawyers

View all locations we serve →

Frequently Asked Questions About Oakland Criminal Cases

Where is criminal court in Oakland?

Most criminal cases originating in Oakland are heard at the René C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street in downtown Oakland. This is the primary Alameda County Superior Court facility for felony and misdemeanor arraignments, preliminary hearings, and trials. Some specialty matters may be handled at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in the same complex.

Where do people arrested in Oakland get booked?

If you’re arrested by OPD in Oakland, you’ll typically be booked at the Glenn Dyer Detention Facility in downtown Oakland or transported to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin for longer holds. The booking location depends on the severity of the charge and available capacity.

How does bail work after an arrest in Oakland?

Alameda County uses a risk-based pretrial release system. For non-violent offenses, many Oakland defendants are released on their own recognizance or supervised release without posting bail. For violent felonies and weapons charges, bail amounts are set according to the Alameda County bail schedule and can be substantial. An attorney can argue for reduced bail or OR release at your arraignment.

What should I do if I have a warrant in Oakland?

Ignoring a warrant never makes the situation better. If you know there’s an outstanding warrant for your arrest in Oakland, the smart move is to contact a defense attorney before turning yourself in. We can often arrange a voluntary surrender, argue for favorable bail terms, and ensure you spend the minimum time in custody.

How quickly do I need a lawyer after an arrest in Oakland?

As soon as possible. If you were arrested for DUI, you have only 10 days to request a DMV hearing or your license suspension becomes automatic. For all charges, the earlier your defense team gets involved, the more options are available. Evidence can be preserved, witnesses can be interviewed while memories are fresh, and we can begin challenging the prosecution’s case before it solidifies.

Can body camera footage help my Oakland defense case?

OPD officers are required to wear body cameras under the department’s federal consent decree. This footage frequently reveals discrepancies between what officers wrote in their reports and what actually happened during a stop, search, or arrest. Our team requests and reviews all available footage as a standard part of case preparation, and it has been instrumental in challenging the legality of stops and the credibility of officer testimony.

Arrested in Oakland? Take the Next Step.

The bottom line is this: criminal charges don’t wait, and neither should your defense. The Alameda County DA’s office is already working on your case. Every day without an experienced defense team is a day they build their case without opposition.

Take back your life. Protect your rights, your freedom, and your future.

Contact us now. Available 24/7, 100% confidential.