OAKLAND, Calif. (Diya TV) — Bay Area attorney Gopal Krishnan has announced his candidacy for Alameda County District Attorney, positioning public safety at the center of his campaign in a county that has faced ongoing debate over crime and prosecution policies.
Krishnan, a longtime Alameda County resident and practicing attorney, said his decision to run was driven by concerns that residents no longer feel secure in their communities.
“Public safety is a fundamental right,” Krishnan said in an interview with Diya TV’s Ravi Kapur on “The Public Interest.” “When you go to stores and see security guards everywhere, that means the system has failed. I live here. I want to feel safe here.”
Alameda County includes Oakland, Fremont, Pleasanton and several other cities. While Oakland has drawn attention in recent years for crime trends and economic losses, Krishnan said safety concerns extend throughout the county.
“It’s not just Oakland,” he said. “Crime affects the entire county. If we don’t address it everywhere, every community will feel the impact.”
Krishnan pointed to thefts targeting businesses and even places of worship as examples of what he described as evolving criminal activity. He argued that early intervention is key.
“If you stop someone at the early stage, you don’t have to escalate to more serious crimes,” he said. “But if there are no consequences, behavior continues.”
A lawyer licensed in both India and California, Krishnan immigrated to the United States on a journalist visa before passing the California bar in 2010. His legal practice has focused primarily on business and immigration law. He said he intentionally avoided building a criminal defense portfolio because he was not comfortable representing individuals accused of serious crimes.
Krishnan outlined what he described as a balanced approach to prosecution. He said first-time, nonviolent offenders could face fines and corrective measures, while repeat offenders and individuals involved in violent crimes should face stronger penalties.
“One size does not fit all,” he said. “A first-time offender is different from a repeat offender. And someone who uses violence or carries a gun must face serious consequences.”
The race for district attorney comes after significant changes in the office. The current district attorney was appointed following the recall of her predecessor. Both are now running in the election, setting up a competitive contest that includes Krishnan as a first-time candidate.
Krishnan also framed his candidacy as a commitment to the community where he has built his life.
“I have a child here,” he said. “I want him to stay in Alameda County. I don’t want families to feel they have to leave because they don’t feel safe.”
If elected, Krishnan said he would close his private law practice to serve full time as district attorney.
