Crystal Mendoza-Velarde
Staff Attorney at Dependency Advocacy Center- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
-
English Native or bilingual proficiency
-
Spanish Native or bilingual proficiency
Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
-
Attorney
State Bar of CaliforniaJul, 2019- Sep, 2024
Experience
-
Dependency Advocacy Center
-
United States
-
Legal Services
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Staff Attorney
-
Jan 2020 - Present
Trial attorney representing parents, and some minors, in dependency court proceedings working towards family reunification or family preservation. Work with a multidisciplinary team of attorneys, social workers, and mentor parents to support parents in crisis, including situations involving substance use disorder, mental health challenges, and poverty-related issues. Trial attorney representing parents, and some minors, in dependency court proceedings working towards family reunification or family preservation. Work with a multidisciplinary team of attorneys, social workers, and mentor parents to support parents in crisis, including situations involving substance use disorder, mental health challenges, and poverty-related issues.
-
-
-
-
Deputy Public Defender
-
Aug 2019 - Dec 2019
Role as a misdemeanor jury trial attorney handling a 250 full caseload from arraignment through trial. Litigated a misdemeanor co-defendant trial up to the voir dire stage that then resulted in a dismissal, which consisted of reviewing discovery, arguing motions in limine, and selecting 12 jury members from a pool of 120 persons. Succeeded in reducing a felony strike amendment to a misdemeanor battery charge. Managed all trial preparation for case litigation. Role as a misdemeanor jury trial attorney handling a 250 full caseload from arraignment through trial. Litigated a misdemeanor co-defendant trial up to the voir dire stage that then resulted in a dismissal, which consisted of reviewing discovery, arguing motions in limine, and selecting 12 jury members from a pool of 120 persons. Succeeded in reducing a felony strike amendment to a misdemeanor battery charge. Managed all trial preparation for case litigation.
-
-
-
Alameda County Public Defender
-
United States
-
Law Practice
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Post-Bar Legal Assistant
-
Apr 2019 - Aug 2019
Researched, drafted, and argued a motion to quash a blood warrant. Litigated motions to release clients on their own recognizance. Argued 991 motions on behalf of clients. Advised clients of their constitutional rights and plea offer options as part of misdemeanor arraignment and plea calendar management. Presented plea offers to prosecutor to achieve reduction of misdemeanors to infractions. Researched and drafted a motion to quash warrant in a DUI misdemeanor case. Researched, drafted, and presented a memorandum to prosecutor to achieve deletion of reimbursement amount in a DUI case. Show less
-
-
-
-
Post-Bar Legal Research Clerk
-
Aug 2018 - Nov 2018
Researched, drafted and argued 995 motions in felony cases alleging burglary, attempted burglary, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Researched, drafted and argued a restitution motion. Assisted in plea negotiations, helped clients in completing plea waiver forms, and dismissed three felony cases, as part of the plea calendar. Prepared and conducted a felony preliminary hearing alleging resisting arrest, sales of methamphetamine, and battery upon an operator. Researched, drafted and argued 995 motions in felony cases alleging burglary, attempted burglary, and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Researched, drafted and argued a restitution motion. Assisted in plea negotiations, helped clients in completing plea waiver forms, and dismissed three felony cases, as part of the plea calendar. Prepared and conducted a felony preliminary hearing alleging resisting arrest, sales of methamphetamine, and battery upon an operator.
-
-
-
Family Violence Law Center
-
United States
-
Legal Services
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Bar Certified Law Clerk
-
Aug 2017 - Nov 2017
Represented multiple clients in domestic violence court hearings. Granted a five-year domestic violence restraining order. Assisted clients with the drafting of various family judicial council forms and the writing of declarations of abuse in English and Spanish. Prepared for domestic violence trials, including writing direct and cross-examination questions. Conducted client intakes in English and Spanish. Represented multiple clients in domestic violence court hearings. Granted a five-year domestic violence restraining order. Assisted clients with the drafting of various family judicial council forms and the writing of declarations of abuse in English and Spanish. Prepared for domestic violence trials, including writing direct and cross-examination questions. Conducted client intakes in English and Spanish.
-
-
-
-
Summer Law Clerk
-
May 2017 - Nov 2017
Researched and drafted memorandums on constructive possession of a gun, unlawful search and seizure, and adoptive admissions by a party opponent. Researched codes/statutes, met with parties to discuss strategies for how to get citations dismissed, and met with prosecutor and officers regarding the Petty Offense calendar. Researched, drafted and filed motions to suppress based on 4th Amendment search and seizure violations. Researched the effects of incarceration on a client for the client's sentencing memorandum and sentencing hearing. Show less
-
-
-
-
Certified Law Clerk
-
Jan 2017 - Apr 2017
Researched, drafted and argued 995 motions in cases alleging attempted carjacking, receiving stolen property and residential burglary. Conducted legal research for a 402 hearing motion about the scope of expert testimony. Researched, drafted and argued 995 motions in cases alleging attempted carjacking, receiving stolen property and residential burglary. Conducted legal research for a 402 hearing motion about the scope of expert testimony.
-
-
-
Flynn Law Office
-
United States
-
Legal Services
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Immigration and Employment Law Clerk
-
Aug 2016 - Nov 2016
Assisted Spanish-speaking clients with U-visa applications and family petitions. Assisted with the preparation of a personal injury trial that included writing memorandums and evidentiary issues. Researched and drafted declarations in employment cases. Drafted demand letters. Wrote responses to special interrogatories and admission requests. Assisted Spanish-speaking clients with U-visa applications and family petitions. Assisted with the preparation of a personal injury trial that included writing memorandums and evidentiary issues. Researched and drafted declarations in employment cases. Drafted demand letters. Wrote responses to special interrogatories and admission requests.
-
-
-
-
Board Member
-
Feb 2014 - Aug 2015
Board Member, February 2015 - August 2015 Volunteer, February 2014 - February 2015 Communicated with San Mateo county government officials, including members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, concerning problems surrounding Trust Act and ICE holds. Issues included responding to past Trust Act violations and decreasing ICE holds/deportations. Conducted local lobbying visit with District Director for Senator Jerry Hill concerning AB 593, a bill that would require law enforcement to collect data on racial and identity profiling. Participated in a local town hall event addressing police community relations in San Mateo County. Show less
-
-
-
-
Summer Intern
-
Jun 2015 - Jul 2015
Organized case files. Translated for Spanish-speaking clients during court proceedings. Reviewed and analyzed discovery files, including audio and video recordings. Communicated with clients about case direction, deadlines, and updates. Observed variety of misdemeanor hearings and trials. Organized case files. Translated for Spanish-speaking clients during court proceedings. Reviewed and analyzed discovery files, including audio and video recordings. Communicated with clients about case direction, deadlines, and updates. Observed variety of misdemeanor hearings and trials.
-
-
Education
-
2015 - 2018
Golden Gate University, School of Law
Juris Doctor (J.D.), Litigation, Immigration Law -
2013 - 2015
San Jose State University
Bachelor's degree, English Language and Literature/Letters -
2011 - 2013
Cañada College
Associate of Arts (A.A.), English Language and Literature/Letters
Community
