Top Criminal Defense Lawyers in Oakland | 22 available

I am a true believer in the defense of people accused of crimes. I will focus on you as a person and achieve the best results for you and your family. You will never be just a case number or a file – no matter how big or small your case is. I will take the time to carefully listen to you and prepare a plan for your case that integrates my expertise and your goal. I will help you and your loved ones through your legal problems.. I have been working for all clients for over 15 years, as a lawyer, and over 25 years in the office. My clients and their families have continually appreciated my attention and expertise that I have applied to their unique situations. I achieve the results that my clients want – dismissals, best plea bargains, not guilty verdicts.. I began working for my father, Robert Beles, when I was in high school – after school and during vacations. In college, I continued to work for the office, sometimes coming home weekends to assist in Dad’s cases. I started there from the bottom level – answering phones, organizing files and doing whatever grunt work was needed to assist our clients. I believe that this experience gave me a firm grasp of what is needed to help our clients through their legal problems.. I was born and raised in Oakland, California. I went to public schools for grammar and middle schools and then graduated from Holy Names High School in 1990. I attended University of California at Santa Cruz and studied sociology and English Literature there. I went to University of Exeter in the United Kingdom and took law and literature courses there. I graduated from U.C. Santa Cruz in June 1994. I immediately entered law school at the University of San Francisco School of Law.. I did not choose to become a lawyer because my dad is a lawyer. I chose to practice criminal defense because it is what I believe in – it is my true vocation. If you have a problem, I will find a solution.. In 2007, the State Bar of California certified me as a criminal law specialist – I was recommended by lawyers and judges, took an examination and acquired the necessary trial experience in order to achieve this certification.. In my 18 years of practice, I have represented hundreds of clients – from the most minor traffic violation to capital murder cases, from the very beginning to the end of the case. I take pride in paying attention to the entirety of the client – the legal arguments, the factual investigation, the goals of the client, the comfort of the family and the end result. I personally handle all of my cases – and I have tried over twenty five felony trials, including 15 homicides. I pay attention to detail and achieve results for you and your family.. I am honored to represent my clients and have received much appreciation from former clients and their families throughout the years. Let me help you through your legal problem.

Ernie Castillo specializes in criminal defense throughout the Bay Area.  Ernie Castillo's successful track record of trial experience includes complex topics on DNA, gangs, ballistics, fingerprints, false confessions, mistaken witness identification, sexual assault medical exams, possession for sale of narcotics, the compassionate use act, manufacturing of methamphetamine, accident reconstruction and the use of breathalizers/blood draws. Ernie Castillo's areas of practice include:MurderAttempted MurderVehicular ManslaughterAssault with deadly weaponGunFirearmWeaponsGang OffensesSex OffensesRapeDomestic ViolenceThree Strikes CasesThreatsDrug salesSale of methamphetamineSales of marijuanaSales of cocaineRobberyBurglaryDUI LawTheftWhite Collar CrimesWe are dedicated to protecting your freedom and take pride in giving our clients a voice in the courtroom.  Let us dedicate our experience to helping you.