Sergio Humberto Benavides

Sergio Humberto Benavides, owner of Law Office of Sergio H. Benavides, is a Criminal Defense and Immigration Attorney in Hayward, California. Sergio H. Benavides is an honoree selected to be among America’s Top 100 Criminal Defense Attorneys for 2018.

Before entering Law School, Sergio studied at Chabot College in Hayward, in Northern California, and went on to obtain his undergraduate degree in English Literature from San Francisco State University.

Sergio also has a Master in Education from Antioch University – Seattle.  Sergio taught Spanish-English public education for five years before entering law school. He attributes his numerous jury trial acquittals and hung juries to his experience as a teacher.

He finds it important to not just educate a jury, but to keep them engaged, entertained, and interested. The  sin in a jury trial, he says, is letting a juror fall asleep out of boredom.  Sergio is fluent in Spanish.

His parents are native Costa Rican immigrants who came to the United States looking to achieve the American Dream. Sergio was raised to cherish his Latin heritage along with his American heritage. He has been to Costa Rica many times, and always enjoys visiting extended family there.

Upon graduating with his Bachelor of Arts degree, Sergio attended law school at University of San Francisco College of Law, where he was a Research Assistant in Labor and Employment Law, and a Teaching Assistant in Property Law.

He also served as Social Events Chair for the La Raza Law Students Association, and  was involved in Pride Law Students Association. During law school, Sergio assisted clients in San Francisco Superior Court, in small claims mediations, and represented clients in the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, in discrimination complaints.

Because of his valuable Jury Trial experience as a Criminal Defense Attorney at the Fresno County Public Defender’s Office, Sergio knows how to challenge difficult judges and District Attorneys.

He has conducted numerous Juvenile Adjudications, and Misdemeanor and Felony Trials. Trial and adjudication cases have included charges of:  Armed Robbery, Grand Theft Auto, Home Invasion Burglary, Petty Theft, Prostitution, Resisting Arrest, Driving Under the Influence, Drug Possession, Assault With a Deadly Weapon, Vandalism, Receiving Stolen Goods, Battery, Shooting Into An Inhabited Dwelling.