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Criminal Court Appointed Attorneys Program
The Criminal Court Appointed Attorneys Program (CAAP) administers the conflicts program for the County of Alameda
Through this program, qualified attorneys represent indigent criminal defendants or minors whenever the public defender is restrained by a conflict of interest. The program maintains a panel of qualified private attorneys who provide professional and excellent representation for those entitled to court appointed attorneys.
CAAP is committed to the promotion of justice and high standards of professionalism, competency, diligence, and integrity among members of the criminal defense bar in Alameda County.
CAAP general phone:
(510) 302-2205
New! CAAP Grievance Line
Phone: (510) 433-8707
Interested in joining CAAP? Check out our FAQ.
Network Appreciation Reward
$1,000
Help us grow! If you refer a new attorney to CAAP and they are approved and join the panel, you’ll receive a $1,000 referral bonus. There’s no limit to how many new attorneys you can refer—and no better time than now. Just make sure to notify us in writing before the person applies (and include their full name).
Signing Bonus
$1,000
New attorneys who join the panel in 2025 can earn up to $1,000, paid in two installments: $500 after completing onboarding and accepting their first CAAP case, and $500 more once they’ve been appointed in five different client matters by Oct 31. Encourage your colleagues to apply—this is a great time to join!
Dedicated Defender Reward
$2,000
The Dedicated Defender Reward is our way of recognizing the many panel attorneys who have remained active, dependable, and committed throughout 2025.
If you:
were on the panel in 2024 or earlier,
Remained active through 2025,
And accept at least 5 new client assignments from CAAP,
you’ll qualify for a $2,000 reward.
Criminal defense attorneys – apply today to join the ACBA Court Appointed Attorneys Program (CAAP) Panel! Our panel of independent contractor attorneys step in to represent indigent clients when there is a conflict with the Office of the Alameda County Public Defender. Take as many or as few cases as your schedule dictates while you seek justice and build your professional profile.
CAAP is committed to promoting justice and high standards of professionalism, competency, diligence, and integrity among members of the criminal defense bar in Alameda County.
For more information, including hourly rates, please see below and check out our FAQ. If you have any questions, contact the Director, Andrea Zambrana, by email or phone (andrea@acbanet.org | 510.302.2202). Please note that CAAP will review all applications and consider waiving some of its requirements for suitable applicants, particularly those with the experience to take higher-level cases.
CAAP Attorney Hourly Rates
Social Worker Payment Rates
Forms
- New Streamlined CAAP Application
- McCormick-1538-request-form
- 2025 Declaration of Eligibility UPDATED
- 2026 Declaration of Eligibility
- Attorney Complaint Form
- Authorization Release School Records
- Case Control Form
- Certification Counsel Record
- Collaborative Court Referral Form
- Consent for Release of Confidential Mental Health Info Form
- Direct Deposit Authorization Form
- DIVERSION Petition Referral Form
- Crimmigration Consultation with SJC
- Immigration Questionnaire
- Investigation Funding Request Form
- Investigation Funding Request Form-Long Form
- Misdemeanor Diversion Agreement
- Notice of Unavailability
- Order for Misdemeanor Diversion
- Ancillary Service Providers Funding Request Form
- Request For Interpreter Services
- Request for School Records
- Social Work Expenses Approval Relief Pilot Program Data Tracking Form
- Social Worker Referral Form for Adults
- Social Worker Referral Form for Delinquency Court
- State of California DOJ Request for Record Transcript
- Substitution of Counsel Form Juvenile 602
SJC’s Consultation Program is Live!
Social Justice Collaborative (SJC) is a nonprofit based in Berkeley, CA, committed to providing legal representation to low-income immigrants. They have partnered with the Court Appointed Attorney Program to offer crimmigration consultations, providing insight and support on immigration-related matters.
Consultation Program: To request a consultation, please complete the designated form. You can find the link to the right. The form collects your information and essential details about the case. After receiving a request, the SJC team will email you relevant information and next steps.
Thank you for joining us on this mission to impact the lives of individuals facing unique challenges positively.
Please note: this form is only to be used by CAAP Panel Attorneys.