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BAY AREA COURTS
191 North First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
The primary courthouse for criminal, civil, family, and probate matters in Santa Clara County. Multiple courthouses serve different case types across the county.
Website
www.scscourt.org
1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Serves Alameda County including Oakland, Fremont, Hayward, Berkeley, and surrounding cities. Handles criminal, civil, family law, and probate cases.
Website
www.alameda.courts.ca.gov
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
400 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
The primary courthouse for criminal and civil matters in the City and County of San Francisco. The Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street handles criminal arraignments.
Website
www.sfsuperiorcourt.org
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
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.
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.
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.
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 is a monetary amount set by the court that serves as a guarantee the defendant will appear at all future court dates. Bail can be posted in cash, through a bail bondsman, or waived through an OR (own recognizance) release. The amount is determined by the county's bail schedule and the judge's discretion based on the severity of charges, criminal history, and flight risk.
Each California county maintains a bail schedule that sets presumptive bail amounts for specific offenses. Judges may deviate from the schedule based on individual circumstances. Santa Clara County, Alameda County, and San Francisco each maintain their own bail schedules. Your attorney can request a bail reduction hearing if the amount is beyond your means.
OR release allows a defendant to be released from custody without posting bail, based on their promise to appear in court. OR release is more common for non-violent misdemeanors and for defendants with strong community ties, steady employment, and no prior failures to appear. Your attorney can argue for OR release at your arraignment or at a separate hearing.
A bail bond is posted by a licensed bail bondsman on your behalf. The standard premium in California is 10% of the total bail amount, which is non-refundable. For example, on a $50,000 bail, you would pay the bondsman $5,000. The bondsman then guarantees the full amount to the court. If the defendant fails to appear, the bondsman may employ a recovery agent and the co-signer becomes liable for the full bail amount.
QUICK REFERENCE
PC 240 / PC 242
Simple assault (attempt to commit violent injury) and battery (unlawful use of force). Misdemeanors carrying up to 6 months (assault) or 6 months (battery) in county jail.
PC 245(a)(1)
Assault committed with a deadly weapon or by means likely to produce great bodily injury. A wobbler offense carrying up to 4 years in state prison as a felony.
PC 211
Taking personal property from another person by force or fear. Always a felony. First-degree robbery carries 3-9 years; second-degree carries 2-5 years in state prison.
PC 459
Entering a structure with intent to commit theft or a felony. First-degree (residential) is always a felony; second-degree (commercial) is a wobbler.
PC 273.5
Willfully inflicting corporal injury on a spouse, cohabitant, or co-parent resulting in a traumatic condition. A wobbler with up to 4 years in prison as a felony.
PC 243(e)(1)
Battery committed against a spouse, cohabitant, or dating partner. A misdemeanor carrying up to 1 year in county jail and fines up to $2,000.
HS 11350 / HS 11377
Simple possession of controlled substances. Generally misdemeanors under Prop 47, carrying up to 1 year in county jail. Drug diversion programs may be available.
VC 23152
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A first offense is typically a misdemeanor. Penalties increase significantly with prior offenses or aggravating factors.
PC 594
Maliciously damaging, destroying, or defacing another person's property. A wobbler when damage exceeds $400; misdemeanor when damage is $400 or less.
PC 470
Falsifying, altering, or counterfeiting documents with intent to defraud. A wobbler offense. Felony forgery carries up to 3 years in state prison.
PC 25400
Carrying a concealed firearm on your person or in a vehicle without a valid permit. A wobbler offense with up to 3 years in prison as a felony.
VC 20002 / VC 20001
Leaving the scene of an accident. Property damage only (VC 20002) is a misdemeanor; hit and run with injury (VC 20001) is a wobbler with up to 4 years in prison.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
Handles driver's license matters, vehicle registration, and administrative DUI hearings. DMV hearings are separate from criminal court proceedings and have strict 10-day request deadlines after a DUI arrest.
Website
www.dmv.ca.gov
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
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
The official source for California statutes, including the Penal Code, Vehicle Code, Health and Safety Code, and Code of Civil Procedure. Search and read the full text of any California law.
Website
leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
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
Our attorneys serve clients throughout San Jose, Santa Clara County, and the Bay Area. Contact us today for a consultation about your legal matter.
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