Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in San Leandro, CA

FAQs

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in San Leandro, California?

  San Leandro Police Department's non-emergency contact number is (510) 577-2740.

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in San Leandro, California?

  The Records Unit requires online or written requests for San Leandro police reports and arrest records. The written request should include the date, time, people involved, location, and cause of the report. To get an arrest record or police report, submit the completed report:

  • By mail: 2000 - 150th Avenue San Leandro, CA 94578
  • By email: ACSORecords@acgov.org

  To get a restricted police report or arrest record from San Leandro, the person making the request must fill out the authorization to release protected information form and send it with the request form. A person from the Sheriff's Office will decide if the person applying is allowed to see the restricted information.

• When can the police in San Leandro make an arrest without a warrant?

  It is possible for the police in San Leandro to make an arrest without a warrant if they have probable cause to think that the person they intend to arrest committed a crime and that crime was committed by the exact individual they desire to arrest. The only time this rule is broken is when the arrest takes place inside the suspected criminal's own home. If the suspect is being taken into custody for a minor offense, the arresting officer does not require a warrant to take the suspect into custody at his or her residence.

• What happens if you fail to appear in court for a traffic citation in San Leandro?

  In San Leandro, if you are unable to appear in court on the day specified on your ticket, contact the court as soon as possible to modify the date or make other arrangements. If you don't show up to court on the date you were supposed to, the court may:

  • Give a "Failure to Appear" notice
  • Suspend your driving privileges
  • Add up to $300 in civil penalties to any fines
  • Find you guilty in your absence
  • Send in your bill to be collected.
  • Charge you with a misdemeanor or an infraction for failing to show up. This is called a bench warrant.

• What are some benefits of having your San Leandro record sealed?

  When an arrest record is sealed, all records of an arrest that did not lead to a conviction are destroyed and erased for good. If it has been 3 years since the arrest in San Leandro, the fingerprints, booking photo, and arrest report can all be sealed and then thrown away. The arrest will be dealt with as if:

  • It never happened
  • Never filed
  • Dismissed (not if it was dismissed pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4)
  • You were either turned down or found not guilty.

• Are you facing a hit-and-run charge in San Leandro?

  Anyone in San Leandro who is accused of hit-and-run should hire a lawyer right away and take the accusations seriously. People who hit and run face legal consequences. If you are found guilty of a felony, you might have to serve time in your state's prison system. If the victim was not seriously hurt or killed, the hit-and-run will be treated as a misdemeanor. If the other party's death or serious injury was the result of the hit-and-run, the incident may be treated as a crime.

• What are the criminal consequences in San Leandro for child abuse?

  Abuse happens when a parent or caregiver does something small to hurt a child on purpose. Child abuse offenses may be misdemeanors or felonies, depending on the severity. Most states penalize felonies more severely than misdemeanors. Several states have life penalties for the worst offenses. Probation or a fine may follow a lower conviction. California has harsh punishments for hurting children. If you have a conviction in San Leandro, it might be hard to get a car, a house, or a bank account. Convictions can have long-lasting effects on your life.

• What does a criminal defense lawyer do?

  Criminal defense attorneys provide help to those facing misdemeanor or felony criminal charges. The attorney will research the circumstances surrounding the charge and investigate the case on behalf of the client. This may involve talking to police, interviewing witnesses, determining a plea, and assessing possible sentences. With this information, the defense attorney can negotiate plea deals or navigate a court case on behalf of the client. In some cases, the attorney may get a case dismissed entirely, a reduction in bail or jail time, or probation or community service instead of prison.

• How do I know if I need a criminal attorney?

  Any criminal charge that could result in a prison sentence requires the help of a criminal defense lawyer. This applies to both misdemeanor and felony charges, including:

  Misdemeanors

  • Petty theft
  • Public intoxication
  • Simple assault
  • Disorderly conduct
  • Vandalism
  • Reckless driving

  Felonies

  • Murder
  • Rape
  • Kidnapping
  • Aggravated assault
  • Specific types of fraud
  • Possession of certain types of drugs

• What steps should I take after being charged with a crime?

  The first thing to do after being charged with a crime is to contact a criminal defense attorney. It is best to hire a defense attorney as soon as possible after being released from arrest, and before an arraignment takes place. The attorney will explain charges in detail, and possible consequences, to help you decide whether a plea deal or a jury trial is the best option. Most attorneys offer free consultations to discuss the circumstances of a criminal case and how they're able to assist. Speaking with a number of defense attorneys before hiring one can increase the likelihood of finding the right fit, and getting the best defense possible.

• What if I can’t afford a criminal defense lawyer?

  All Americans are afforded the right to hire an attorney to act as a defense in a legal case. However, not everyone can afford one. If an attorney isn’t in a defendant’s budget, and the defendant’s income meets designated state or local thresholds, the court system will provide a public defender. This attorney usually works on cases pro bono or without any fees paid by the defendant. Many public defenders have a high caseload, which can limit the amount of time they are able to devote to each case. In most situations, hiring a dedicated criminal defense lawyer ensures the best outcome. This is particularly true in more serious felony cases that can result in a significant prison sentence without the involvement of a skilled, experienced defense attorney.

• Why hire a criminal defense attorney?

  Working with a criminal defense attorney is the best way to minimize the ramifications of committing or being accused of a crime. Criminal attorneys thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding a case to prove innocence or inspire reasonable doubt in a jury. Criminal defense lawyers also are better prepared to negotiate with the prosecutors. Due to the high cost and logistics involved with taking a case to trial, many prosecutors are willing to reduce sentences in exchange for avoiding a jury trial. An experienced criminal attorney understands what would be a reasonable deal for a specific criminal charge, and will negotiate it on behalf of the defendant.

• Are legal fees for criminal defense tax deductible?

  Whether legal fees from a criminal case can be deducted on a tax return depends on the circumstances. If criminal charges pertain to activities related to a trade or business, attorney fees can be deducted on a business tax return, as they are considered an expense associated with the normal course of business. However, personal legal fees cannot be deducted.