Plain-language information on the charges people most often face in the Bay Area — and what they actually mean.
A criminal charge raises immediate, practical questions: what you're accused of, what the penalties are, and what can be done about it. Below is general information on the charges Circle Law handles across Alameda, Contra Costa, and the surrounding counties. None of it is legal advice for your situation — but it should help you understand where you stand before you call.
Driving under the influence carries a second, separate consequence beyond court: the DMV moves against your license, and you generally have only 10 days from arrest to request a hearing. These cases often turn on the traffic stop, the testing, and how the evidence was handled.
Charges between people in a relationship or household move quickly and frequently come with a protective order that affects where you live and your contact with family. The details of what happened — and who said what — matter enormously.
Assault is the threat or attempt to use force; battery is the unlawful touching itself. Many are charged after fights or one-sided accounts, and the facts often look very different once the full story comes out.
Petty theft, shoplifting, and grand theft, depending on the value involved. Many can be reduced or resolved in ways that keep them off your record — which matters for jobs, housing, and licensing.
Possession and related charges. California offers diversion and treatment options in many cases that can lead to a dismissal rather than a conviction, depending on the charge and your history.
A catch-all for public-conduct offenses. They sound minor, but a conviction still creates a record — and they are often more negotiable than people assume.
Brandishing and related offenses. Penalties vary widely with the specific facts, and exactly how a weapon was involved is usually the central question in the case.
Alleged violations of a restraining or protective order are taken seriously by the courts. The precise terms of the order — and whether contact was actually prohibited — are where these cases are won or lost.
Leaving the scene of an accident. Whether you knew an accident occurred, and what duty applied, are central — and these often resolve more favorably than people fear.
The standard and procedure differ from a new charge. A good outcome here often means reinstatement of probation rather than custody.
Circle Law also handles appellate briefing and writ proceedings — an area many defense practices don't cover. If you believe a ruling or conviction was wrong, there may be a way to challenge it, and the firm can assess whether that option is open in your case.