Criminal defense · San Francisco, City and County of San Francisco
In San Francisco most criminal cases are heard at the Hall of Justice on Bryant Street, and the court runs several collaborative courts and diversion options. First Call Defense connects you with an independent California-licensed criminal defense attorney who can review your situation and explain which route may fit.
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What is local in San Francisco
According to the court, criminal cases are heard in the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street, with some cases at the Civic Center Courthouse and the Community Justice Center. Your papers name the department.
Official source ↗Traffic citations are handled through the court's traffic division, which lists window services and courtroom sessions, traffic school, payment options and how to contest a citation.
Official source ↗The Public Defender represents people who cannot afford a lawyer and runs a Clean Slate program that can help with clearing an old record.
Official source ↗The court lists collaborative courts such as Behavioral Health Court, Drug Court, Veterans Justice Court, Young Adult Court and Mental Health Diversion. Eligibility depends on the charge and on the program.
Official source ↗After a DUI arrest in San Francisco, the license case runs through the DMV's Driver Safety branch, not the court. The DMV handles many Driver Safety matters through its online case system and a statewide phone line, and hearings can be held by video or in person. Use the contact printed on your notice of suspension.
Official source ↗After an arrest or a misdemeanor citation, the first court date is usually an arraignment in a department at the Hall of Justice. The San Francisco District Attorney decides which charges to file. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the judge can appoint the Public Defender. Bring every paper you were given, and check the department and time on your notice, because some cases are heard at the Civic Center Courthouse or the Community Justice Center instead.
Traffic infractions are handled separately by the court's traffic division, which offers window services, courtroom sessions and information on traffic school and contesting a citation. The court warns that missing a scheduled traffic hearing can add a civil assessment to the fine and lead to a report to the DMV, so deal with the date even while you look for help.
San Francisco offers more alternatives than many counties. The court's collaborative courts combine supervision with treatment or services, and the court also lists a pretrial diversion provider. Statewide, a judge can also offer misdemeanor diversion under Penal Code section 1001.95 for many charges. Whether any of these is available depends on the charge, your record and the program's rules, and agreeing to a program can have consequences of its own. Talk to an attorney before you accept or decline an offer.
This site is not an emergency line. If someone is in custody or has a court date tomorrow, contact the court, the public defender's office or a criminal defense attorney directly now.
Local information as of October 2026. Court locations, hours and local rules change; check the official source before you go.
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Who is behind First Call Defense
First Call Defense is part of Omnilex. Leon leads Omnilex’s US business from San Francisco. He is a California attorney and spent about twelve years at Goodwin and Kirkland & Ellis before joining Omnilex.
Leon does not take on the individual matters that come through this site. Your matter is handled by the independent California attorney you choose to engage, who works in criminal defense law.
You may still be wondering …
Most criminal cases are heard at the Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street, according to the court. Some are heard at the Civic Center Courthouse or the Community Justice Center. The department is printed on your papers.
Yes, there are several routes. The Public Defender runs a Clean Slate program, and a private attorney can also review whether dismissal under Penal Code 1203.4 or another form of relief may fit your case.
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