Law Office Of Sergio H. Benavides

ATTORNEY SERGIO H. BENAVIDES

I love helping people.  I am passionate in fighting criminal charges, and in court I protect your rights.  I am a fighter at trial.  With Immigration cases, there is nothing better than helping people grab their American Dream.  It’s very rewarding seeing people get a Green Card or Citizenship.  

Who we are
Law Office of Sergio H. Benavides is aa law firm specializing in DUI and Criminal Law Defense, while also helping people with Immigration issues, based in San Francisco and Hayward, California.  The firm provides comprehensive Criminal Defense legal help to clients facing jail or prison.  We provide the best in Criminal Defense, that comes from having a California State Bar Certified Criminal Law Specialist on your side.  Clients are given a great deal of attention, with consultations, guidance, and a deep-seated understanding of how to seek out the best resolution or to fight charges in every case.  Clients are kept up-to-date with cutting edge technology–by 24-hour access to their court dates, records, and case files through our secure online case management system.

Our courtroom experience and ability to zero-in on the crux of any challenge gives you and your loved ones the ability to secure an advantage in court. Sergio H. Benavides has assisted thousands of clients in court, probation hearings, taking cases to trial, getting charges lowered or dismissed, and even expungements.

Law Firm Values
Commitment:
I commit to 100% until I succeed. I am committed to the Vision, Mission, Culture and success of Law Office of Sergio H Benavides and its clients at all times.
 
Ownership
I am responsible for my actions and outcomes in my work. I am accountable for my results and I know that for things to change, first I must change.
 
Integrity
What I promise is what I deliver. I only ever make agreements with myself and others that I am willing and intend to keep. I clear up all potential broken agreements at the first opportunity.
 
Excellence
Good enough isn’t. I always deliver exceptional quality service. I look for ways to do more with less and constantly improve and innovate.
 
Consistency
I am consistent in my actions so my clients and teammates feel comfortable in dealing with me. I am disciplined in my work so my results, growth and success are consistent.
 
Professionalism
I strive to give all potential and actual Clients the best experience and customer service with a smile.  I treat teammates with the utmost respect.  My behavior creates the kind of firm Clients and teammates rave about.

1)    Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference.
Misdemeanor Assault: A client got into a fight with a visitor to his apartment building. The security guard told her to leave, and she refused. Client told her to leave, and she got verbally abusive, shouting racial slurs. Client slapped her, and then visitor started punching client. They exchanged blows. Client was charged with misdemeanor assault. Client spoke to five lawyers who all told him he had no defense. I convinced a District Attorney we did have a defense, and I got the case dismissed.

Felony Strike DUI:  Client drove through a stop sign, crashed into a car with an adult and two small children, and ran from the scene. The other driver suffered broken ribs. Client was charged with a DUI strike enhancement for causing Great Bodily Injury--which meant mandatory prison, and no probation.  I got the strike enhancement dropped, secured probation, and avoided any future jail time. Client was able to serve his sentence at home with an ankle monitor--allowing him to work, and be with his family.

2)     How did you build a successful practice?
By a commitment to honest, professional and caring service.  Clients appreciate my dedication, and so the word spreads.

3)    What should clients look for in a lawyer?
Ask if your lawyer is a Certified Criminal Law Specialist--it is the highest rating of skill and expertise an attorney can achieve. When you hire a  Specialist, you can be guaranteed you have a lawyer who has at least 5 years of experience in the field, has fought 20 trials, 20 motions, and has been evaluated by 7 judges and 7 district attorneys as being competent in Criminal Law.  That's far more powerful than any Yelp review.

 Look for a lawyer who will take the time to discuss all questions and concerns and not brush through conversations.  A lawyer who is experienced and confident, but who won't make inflated promises, and who will educate clients about their rights, defenses, strategy and options. A lawyer who advertises they have never lost cannot be trusted.

4)    How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases?
Not very.  Local knowledge is overblown. Experience fighting cases, going to trial, arguing and filing motions, these are the keys to success. A lawyer who knows all the local players, but has years of doing nothing more than pleading people guilty is not really a defense attorney.

5)    What information can you provide in a free phone consultation?
I can tell people if it is the type of crime I can defend. Other than that, it is limited over the phone. To get the most out of a Consultation, an office visit is necessary. You need your attorney to focus on you and to think clearly. I provide a strategy session in person, and show people things that can't be shown over the phone.

6)    What information do you need in a free phone consultation?
I need to know if the person calling is the person facing charges, whether they are misdemeanor or felony charges, what the stage of the case is, and if it is in my local area--The Bay Area.  I only handle California cases.

7)    What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community?
I am one of the best. I belong to an elite number of Defense Attorneys with the distinguished honor of being a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. When someone advertises they "specialize" in an area of law, it means they are a Certified Specialist. Many  attorneys dishonestly claim they specialize when in truth they don't.

I also stand out for having several positive Yelp Reviews, a great deal of endorsements in LinkedIn, a Superb Rating with Avvo, and am in the top 100 Criminal Trial Lawyers for California by the National Trial Lawyers.

I am a Certified Criminal Law Specialist, which means I am an expert with an additional title earmed through the State licensing authority. I earned this title, because unlike others, I spent years in court, fighting dozens of motions and trials, and really litigating cases to get the best results for clients. I have the experience that really matters, that of fighting for clients, not just pushing them to plead guilty as soon as possible.

I spend a great deal of time with my client's cases, both in person and on the phone, as well as in preparing the best possible defense by pouring through the file doing legal research, and writing motions when necessary.

8)    What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Making a positive difference in people's lives. Helping get great results, seeing clients happy and knowing I did a good job.

9)    What are your other interests in addition to law?
I love world travel, trying different foods, learning about other cultures, musical theatre, science fiction, following politics, enjoying nature, and going to the gym.

10)  Are you involved in your community?
I am involved in Latino community outreach, giving workshops on the law to schools and church organizations.
I am a Volunteer Mediator through the Alameda County Bar Association in Unlawful Detainer actions.
I am also on the Executive Committee of the Alameda County Bar Association Criminal Law Section, working with local judges, district attorneys and defense attorneys.