LEGAL RESOURCES
Court Links, Bail Information & California Law References
BAY AREA COURTS
Court Links & Locations
Santa Clara County Superior Court
191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
The primary courthouse for criminal cases, lawsuits, family matters and probate proceedings in Santa Clara County. Multiple courthouses serve different case types across the county.
Website
www.scscourt.org
Alameda County Superior Court
1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Serves Alameda County including Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, and surrounding cities. Handles criminal cases, lawsuits, family law and probate proceedings.
Website
www.alameda.courts.ca.gov
San Mateo County Superior Court
400 County Center, Redwood City, CA 94063
Serves San Mateo County including Redwood City, Daly City, San Mateo, and the Peninsula communities. Handles all case types.
Website
www.sanmateocourt.org
San Francisco Superior Court
400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
The primary courthouse for criminal cases and lawsuits in the City and County of San Francisco. The Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street handles criminal arraignments.
Website
www.sfsuperiorcourt.org
Monterey County Superior Court
240 Church Street, Salinas, CA 93901
Serves Monterey County including Salinas, Monterey, Seaside, and Marina. Multiple courthouses handle different case types across the county.
Website
www.monterey.courts.ca.gov
DETENTION FACILITIES
Inmate & Booking Lookup
Santa Clara County Main Jail
150 West Hedding Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Phone
(408) 808-3600
The primary booking and detention facility for Santa Clara County. Inmate information is available through the Santa Clara County Department of Correction.
Elmwood Correctional Facility
701 South Abel Street, Milpitas, CA 95035
Phone
(408) 957-5100
A medium-security facility in Santa Clara County. Houses both male and female inmates and provides various rehabilitation programs.
Santa Rita Jail
5325 Broder Boulevard, Dublin, CA 94568
Phone
(925) 551-6500
The primary detention facility for Alameda County. One of the largest jails in the Bay Area, serving Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, and surrounding communities.
San Francisco County Jail
425 7th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone
(415) 553-1430
Operated by the San Francisco Sheriff's Department. Booking and intake for individuals arrested in the City and County of San Francisco.
UNDERSTANDING BAIL
Bail Information
How Bail Works in California
Release may involve a promise to appear, supervision, financial conditions or detention when legally justified. The court considers the particular case. Financial conditions require attention to ability to pay and less restrictive alternatives; a bail schedule is not a substitute for an individualized determination. See In re Humphrey (California Supreme Court).
County Bail Schedules
County schedules provide listed amounts for specified charges, but a court may need to assess the actual allegations, safety, appearance risk and appropriate release conditions. Use the current court schedule and orders. Counsel can assess whether a release or bail hearing is appropriate.
Own Recognizance (OR) Release
Release on one’s own recognizance generally means release on a promise to return without depositing money bail. Other conditions may apply. Availability depends on the offense, facts and applicable law; employment or community ties alone do not ensure release. See the California Courts arraignment guide.
Bail Bonds
A licensed bail agent may arrange a commercial bond under a written agreement. The California Department of Insurance explains that filed rates and permitted rebates affect the premium; ten percent is common, not a universal mandatory price. Review premium, collateral, payment and indemnity terms before signing. A premium is distinct from cash deposited with a court. See CDI bail-bond guidance.
QUICK REFERENCE
California Penal Code Reference
PC 240 / PC 242
Assault & Battery
Assault concerns a willful act and present ability to apply unlawful force; battery involves unlawful harmful or offensive touching. Actual injury is not required for either. The charged form and available defenses require review.
PC 245(a)(1)
Assault with a Deadly Weapon
Section 245(a)(1) concerns assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. Force likely to produce great bodily injury is addressed separately in section 245(a)(4). The charged subdivision and evidence determine the legal analysis.
PC 211
Robbery
Robbery involves taking property from another person or their immediate presence, against their will, through force or fear, with the required theft intent. Degree and sentencing depend on the circumstances and additional allegations.
PC 459
Burglary
Burglary requires entry into a place covered by the statute with the required intent to commit theft or another felony. Entry, intent, degree and any applicable shoplifting provision require separate analysis.
PC 273.5
Domestic Violence — Corporal Injury
This offense concerns willfully inflicted physical injury causing a traumatic condition in a relationship covered by the statute. The relationship, cause of injury and any self-defense evidence matter; it differs from simple domestic battery.
PC 243(e)(1)
Domestic Battery
Domestic battery concerns unlawful harmful or offensive touching in a relationship specified by section 243(e)(1). Visible injury is not required. The relationship, contact and any applicable defense must be evaluated.
HS 11350 / HS 11377
Drug Possession
Possession allegations require review of the substance, usable amount, knowledge, possession and any applicable prescription defense. The charged statute and prior record can affect the available treatment of the case; diversion requires its own eligibility review.
VC 23152
DUI / DWI
The charged subsection, proof of driving, impairment or prohibited alcohol concentration, and testing evidence matter. Prior offenses and other allegations can affect exposure. The criminal case and a DMV licensing proceeding are separate.
PC 594
Vandalism
Vandalism concerns malicious damage, destruction or defacement of property. Section 594 distinguishes damage of $400 or more from damage below $400. Ownership, amount, charged provisions and prior record can affect the analysis.
PC 470
Forgery
Forgery includes specified false signatures, document alterations and related conduct committed with intent to defraud. The alleged act, document, value and applicable statutory exceptions affect the charge and possible consequences.
PC 25400
Carrying a Concealed Weapon
Concealed-firearm allegations require review of carrying, concealment, knowledge and applicable licenses or exemptions. The charged circumstances determine which misdemeanor or felony provisions may apply.
VC 20002 / VC 20001
Hit and Run
These provisions impose duties after specified vehicle accidents. Section 20002 concerns property damage; section 20001 concerns injury or death. Involvement, knowledge and compliance with the required duties matter separately from fault for the collision.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Useful Government Resources
California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Handles driver’s license matters, vehicle registration and administrative DUI hearings. For an Administrative Per Se suspension or revocation, DMV states that a hearing must be requested within 10 days of receipt of the suspension or revocation order. Preserve the actual order and service details; the DMV proceeding is separate from criminal court. See DMV’s DUI hearing guidance.
Website
www.dmv.ca.gov
State Bar of California
The licensing body for all attorneys practicing in California. Use their website to verify attorney credentials, check disciplinary records, and find certified lawyer referral services in the Bay Area.
Website
www.calbar.ca.gov
California Courts Self-Help Center
Provides free legal information, court forms, and self-help resources for individuals navigating the California court system. Covers topics including small claims, family law, traffic, and name changes.
Website
www.courts.ca.gov/selfhelp.htm
California Legislative Information
The official source for California statutes, including the Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Health and Safety Code, and Cal. Code Civ. Proc.. Search and read the full text of any California law.
Website
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
California Victim Compensation Board
Provides financial assistance to victims of violent crime for expenses including medical treatment, mental health counseling, lost wages, and funeral costs. Available to eligible victims throughout California.
Website
victims.ca.gov
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