The Cespedes Law Firm, L.C. has an office in Bakersfield, at the West Park Community towers on California Avenue, serving clients throughout Kern County. Attorney Armando Cespedes and his team defend people facing DUI and criminal charges, in English and Spanish. Whether the arrest happened in central Bakersfield, Oildale, or out on Highway 99, the Bakersfield office gives Kern County clients a local place to meet.
Where Bakersfield Criminal Cases Are Heard
Criminal cases from the Bakersfield area go to the Metropolitan Division of the Kern County Superior Court. The court has consolidated its misdemeanor and felony courtrooms[1] in the Metropolitan Division building at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, and the Justice Building next door at 1215 Truxtun handles mostly family and civil matters. Knowing which building, floor, and department your case is in matters on your first court date. The court's locations page[2] lists current addresses and hours.
Under Penal Code 825[3], anyone held in custody must be arraigned without unnecessary delay, so that first court date often comes within days of the arrest.
Who Prosecutes Cases in Kern County
Criminal charges in Kern County are filed by the Kern County District Attorney's Office, whose main office is also on Truxtun Avenue. The DA also runs branch offices in outlying communities where the Superior Court hears criminal cases. An arrest in Bakersfield itself usually involves the Bakersfield Police Department. Arrests in unincorporated Kern County usually involve the Kern County Sheriff's Office, and freeway DUI stops often involve the California Highway Patrol.
DUI Arrests in Bakersfield
Every DUI arrest opens two cases: a criminal case in Kern County Superior Court and a separate license case with the DMV. You generally have 10 days from the arrest to request a DMV Administrative Per Se hearing[4], or your license is suspended automatically, no matter what happens in court. Our DUI defense practice covers misdemeanor DUI, DUI involving drugs, commercial driver DUI, and more. Commercial driver DUI is especially relevant along the Highway 99 and I-5 freight corridors.
Criminal Charges We Defend in Bakersfield
The Bakersfield office handles the full range of criminal defense matters, including:
Arrested in Bakersfield? Talk to Us Today
Early decisions, like requesting the DMV hearing and preserving evidence, often matter more than anything that happens weeks later. The Cespedes Law Firm, L.C. is headquartered in Chino Hills and represents clients in English and Spanish throughout California.