The Rene C. Davidson Branch Office of the Alameda County Public Defender deals with criminal defense litigation. They cover crimes ranging from petty-theft to capital murders. The office also defends individuals subject to involuntary psychiatric, civil commitments and conservatorships. Additionally, the office represents individuals in certain specialty or collaborative courts, such as homeless court, drug court and mental health court. Most collaborative courts look to alternatives to incarceration in order to provide individuals with the services and treatment that they need. The Alameda County Public Defender has been an active participant in Alameda County’s Homeless and Caring Court since its inception. Clients are referred to the Homeless and Caring Court through homeless service providers and must apply for the program well in advance of the court date. If you have been charged with a crime and cannot afford an attorney, you will be assigned an attorney from the public defender’s office.