Alameda County Criminal Court

Alameda County Criminal Court hears all criminal cases in Alameda County. Below you will find specific information about criminal cases and how they are handled in Alameda County.

Prosecutor in Alameda County

In Alameda County, the prosecutor is an attorney representing Alameda County. In some cases, the prosecutor may actually represent California. For the most part, the prosecutor in Alameda County has discretion to both decide whether to file charges and also negotiate a potential plea deal with the defendant.

I need help for my Alameda County criminal case

The best place to get information about your criminal case is from an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, the court will appoint one to represent you which will assist in your case. For general information about your case the Alameda County court clerk is able to provide general information about your specific case (e.g. date/time hearings, mandatory appearance, what will take place and what you will be required to do). The court clerk for Alameda County will NOT be able to provide legal advice for your case, only an attorney can provide legal advice. The court clerk can provide legal information (like the information found on this website) about your case but cannot provide advice about what you should do in your legal manner.

Alameda County Criminal Court

Alameda County Criminal Court

Appealing a guilty verdict

A defendant may appeal a guilty verdict to an appellate court. This is not a request to have another trial, but a request for an appellate court to review the case and determine that it was handled in a correct legal manner. There are a number of outcomes in an appeal including an upholding of the conviction, a finding that errors were made resulting in a retrial or resentencing or possibly a complete disimissal of all charges.

The Right to Trial by Jury

The Sixth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to a trial by a jury. This is applicable for when the crime can carry a sentence of 6 months in jail OR a $500 fine, these are known as “Serious Crimes”. The defendant can also waive their right to a speedy and public trial.

Alameda County Criminal Court locations

Criminal proceedings take place in the Alameda County Criminal Courts. A list of the criminal courts are located here.

Sentencing in Alameda County

In Alameda County if the defendant is found guilty (by trial or plea), the defendant will be sentenced. This sometimes occurrs immediately after being found guilty, but can also take place at a later date. In most instances, a judge will impose the sentence that is requested by the prosecution, but they also have the descretion to impose a different sentence.

Alameda County Arraignments

An arraignment is a court hearing. In Alameda County this is the first thing that will happen in a criminal case. The defendant will be brought before a judge in Alameda County Criminal Court and the judge will read the charges that were filed against the defendant. The judge will also read the rights the defendant has and ask the defendant if they understand both the charges filed against them and their rights as a defendant in the case. In Alameda County a plea of Guilty, Not Guilty or No Contest may be entered. In a guilty or no contest plea the sentencing of the defendant may take place at the same arraignment hearing or a later date may be scheduled for sentencing. For a not guilty plea, a date will be set for a trial.

Jury Deliberations in Alameda County

In Alameda County, jury deliberations will take place in a jury trial after the prosecution and defense have presented their cases and rested. At this point, the judge will provide a list of instructions to the jury about what they are allowed and not allowed to do and what verdict options are available for them to decide. The jury will be sent to a private room to discuss the evidence presented in the case and attempt to reach a unaminous decision. When a unaminous decision is reached, the jury will inform the judge that they have reached a verdict and will return to the courtroom for the verdict to be read allowed. In the event that the jury cannot reach a unanimous verdict, the jury results in a deadlock and a mistrial is declared.

Required Court Appearances in Alameda County

Any required court appearances in Alameda County Criminal Court must be attended by the defendant. Failure to appear in court at your required date and time may result in the judge issuing an arrest warrant.

Plea Agreements

A Plea Agreement, sometimes known as a Plea Bargain is an agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, where the defendant pleads guilty or no contest often in exchange for a lesser charge or lighter recommended sentence. A large majority of criminal cases end in a plea agreement. In Alameda County you can inform your attorney to negotiate with the prosecution to attempt to come to a plea agreement, but this is dependent upon the charge severity and also the prosecutors willingness to accept a plea deal.

The Right to Counsel

The Fifth and Sixth Amendments to the U.s. Constitution give defendants in criminal cases the right to counsel/attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed to represent you. Like other rights a defendant has, this one can be waived as well and alternatively you can choose to represent yourself.

Burden of Proof Requirement

In a criminal case in the United States, the burden of proof always requires the prosecutor to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. This is a high threshold that must be met by the prosecution when presenting evidence in a case. If the prosecution fails in it’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt the judge must find the defendant not guilty. In a jury trial, the judge will inform the jury what this burden is and their obligation to find the defendant not guilty if they feel the prosecution did prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Alameda County Criminal Court Locations

  • Superior Court of Alameda – Hayward Hall of Justice

    Address: 24405 Amador Street, Hayward CA 94544
    Phone: 510-690-2700 Fax: 510-268-2824

  • Superior Court of Alameda – Berkeley Courthouse

    Address: 2120 Martin Luther King, Jr. Way, Berkeley CA 94704
    Phone: 510-647-4400 Fax: 510-883-9488

  • Superior Court of Alameda – County Administration Building

    Address: 1221 Oak Street, Oakland CA 94612
    Phone: 510-272-6030 Fax: 510-272-6023

  • Superior Court of Alameda – Fremont Hall of Justice

    Address: 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont CA 94538
    Phone: 510-818-7500 Fax: 510-818-7560

  • Superior Court of Alameda – Gale-Schenone Hall of Justice

    Address: 5672 Stoneridge Drive, Pleasanton CA 94588
    Phone: 925-227-6700 Fax: 510-267-1555

  • Superior Court of Alameda – George E. McDonald Hall of Justice

    Address: 2233 Shoreline Drive, Alameda CA 94501
    Phone: 510-263-4300 Fax: 510-263-4330

  • Superior Court of Alameda – Juvenile Justice Center

    Address: 2500 Fairmont Drive, Suite C3013, San Leandro CA 94578
    Phone: 510-618-1106 Fax: 510-618-1133

  • Superior Court of Alameda – Rene C. Davidson County Courthouse

    Address: 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland CA 94612
    Phone: 510-891-6000

  • Superior Court of Alameda – U.S. Post Office Building

    Address: 201 13th Street, Oakland CA 94612
    Phone: 510-272-6763

  • Superior Court of Alameda – Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse

    Address: 661 Washington Street, Oakland CA 94607
    Phone: 510-627-4700 Fax: 510-627-4906

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