Resource FAQs

For your reference we have listed various frequently asked questions and answers regarding our office, legal procedures and legal resources.

PLEASE NOTE:

We hope you find this information useful, however, please keep in mind that the District Attorney’s Office is prevented by law from answering legal questions or offering legal advice. 

FAQs

Can I talk to Pamela Y. Price? I think she’s the person who is working on my case.

DA Price is not able to meet with most victims or any of the defendants or their families. Ms. Price is the District Attorney of Alameda County, and, as such, her name appears on most court documents just above the name of the prosecutor who prepared the document.

In addition, Ms. Price’s name appears on most DA’s Office correspondence just above the signature of the employee who wrote the letter. Therefore, the person who is working on your case is most likely the person who actually signed the court document or DA’s Office correspondence. For any further questions, please contact our office on (510) 272-6222.

Can I report a crime to the DA’s Office?

In most cases, crimes must be reported to the police department or other law enforcement agency which has jurisdiction over the city or county where the crime occurred. For example, if the crime occurred in Oakland, it should be reported to the Oakland Police Department.

There are, however, certain exceptions. Specifically, crimes involving consumer fraud or the unlawful discharge of hazardous materials may be reported to the District Attorney’s Consumer and Environmental Protection Division. In addition, crimes involving misconduct by public officials may be reported to the District Attorney’s Grand Jury Advisor.

However, reports of misconduct by law enforcement officers should be reported to the internal affairs section or professional standards section of the specific law enforcement agency where the officer is employed.

I was the victim of a violent crime. Will the DA’s Office pay for my hospital bill? Will the DA’s Office help me collect for lost wages and for pain and suffering?

The DA’s Office can assist you in filing an application with California’s Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (CalVCB) for things like medical expenses and lost wages. If you would like to make an application for such assistance, please contact our Victim-Witness Assistance Program. If your claim is approved by CalVCB, they may pay your hospital bills and even provide compensation for lost wages, rehabilitation, relocation and counseling expenses. Upon the defendant’s conviction, CalVCB will seek to collect any money paid directly from the defendant.

Unfortunately, the DA’s Office cannot help you pursue compensation for pain and suffering. If you want to pursue a claim against the defendant for pain and suffering, you will need to contact a private attorney. The Alameda County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service can help you choose an attorney and can be contacted (510) 893-8683. If you cannot afford a lawyer, please call the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County on (510) 451-9261 or Legal Assistance for Seniors on (510) 832-3040.

I was the victim of a crime. Can you tell me the name of the defendant and the defendant’s next court date?

The DA’s Office can provide you with the name of the defendant and the next court date if we have filed charges against the defendant. To obtain this information, please contact the branch of our office where the charges were filed. Also, you can also track the case and the next court dates online through the Sheriff’s Criminal Docket Finder or the Alameda County Courts’ Odyssey Portal.

I am the victim in a domestic violence case and I want to drop charges. Can I do that?

The decision to drop charges in any criminal prosecution can only be made by a prosecutor with the approval of a judge. The victim’s wishes alone shall not dictate whether or not a case will be filed or dismissed. If you would like to discuss your case, please contact the branch of our office where the charges were filed the charges.I run a business. Can the DA’s Office help me collect on a bad check?

I want a restraining order to keep my partner/other person away from me. Will the DA’s Office do this for me?

No, but a private attorney may be able to help you. If you do not have a lawyer, please call the Alameda County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service on (510) 893-8683. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may call the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County on (510) 451-9261 or Legal Assistance for Seniors on (510) 832-3040.

Alternatively, you may be able to obtain a restraining order without a lawyer. You can obtain documents for this purpose from the Alameda County Clerk’s Office at the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland.

I want to sue someone. Can the DA’s Office help me?

No. The District Attorney’s Office cannot provide legal advice or take legal action in such matters. You should consult with your lawyer.

If you do not have a lawyer, please call the Alameda County Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service on (510) 893-8683. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may call the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County on (510) 451-9261 or Legal Assistance for Seniors on (510) 832-3040.

I need child support. Can you help me?

We cannot help you with this. Please contact Child Support Services for information.

I have been subpoenaed by the DA to appear as a witness in a criminal case. Can I get witness fees?

Witnesses can only be reimbursed for travel expenses when they live 150 miles or more from the court.

I was cited and released by the police. Can you tell me if the DA filed charges against me?

To find out whether charges have been filed against you, please contact the branch of our office nearest to where the crime occurred. For example, if you were arrested for a crime that occurred in Hayward, please call our Hayward branch.

In court the judge ordered the defendant to pay restitution to me. But so far I haven’t received anything. Who can help me?

Please call our District Attorney’s Restitution Hotline on (510) 272-6299 or Probation Department on (510) 268-7050 to check on the status of your restitution claim. If restitution has already been ordered and you would like to inquire about payments, please call Alameda County Central Collections on (510) 208-9900.

 I think I have been cheated by a tradesman. Can the DA’s Office help me?

The DA’s Consumer Justice Bureau may be able to help, or they may refer you to an agency that can help you with your issue.

I am an attorney in a pending criminal case and I am planning to file a Motion to Suppress (1538.5 motion)/Motion to Set Aside an Information (995 Motion) in Superior Court. What is the proper procedure?

Firstly, you need to obtain a hearing date from the Master Calendar Department. The next step is to file the moving papers. According to the practice in Alameda County, moving papers should be filed with the court and the DA at least two weeks before the hearing date. Further information can be found at the Alameda County Courts website.

I run a business. Can the DA’s Office help me collect on a bad check?

The DA’s Office is participating in the Bad Check Restitution Program which may be able to help you. For further assistance, please visit the Bad Check Restitution website or via email.