Steven Hideki Nakano

     I have been a criminal defense attorney since 1981, having graduated from USF Law School in 1980 and passing the bar exam in that same year.  I worked 5 years in the Santa Clara County Public Defender's Office from February 1981 to August 1985.   I opened my office with long-time friend and partner, Glenn Sugihara in August of 1985.  Thus, my phone number has always been. 

     My office is located at 161 Jackson Street, Suite 200, San Jose, California in the heart of downtown San Jose in what is called, "Japantown."  Japantown has historical significance for the Japanese-American community.  It is the location of Japanese Buddhist Temple and of the Japanese Methodist Church both locate on 5th Street near Jackson Street, the Issei Memorial Building, Japanese-American Cultural Center and Museum and many fine Japanese Restaurants, Professional businesses and shops.

     I practice criminal defense primarily in the State Courts of California; "everything from DUIs to homicides."  Please watch the video above.  My practice is very "client-centered."  That means, that it is important to me to get to know my clients so that I can represent each client as an individual.  Therefore, I have a team of investigators, private therapists and often refer my clients to drug and alcohol treatment programs.  I helped to start AMICUS HOUSE residential drug and alcohol treatment program, which is the premier drug and alcohol program in Santa Clara County and which always receives the highest ratings by the Courts and by the District Attorney's Drug Program Oversight committee.

     I was the first attorney to produce an Animated Forensic Reconstruction of a shooting based upon the bullet paths to help to establish that the shooting was in self-defense, leading to the aquittal of my client in the case of California versus Shanandoha Garcia 1997.  The video was featured on a television program, Tech Now with Bay Area News Reporter, Scott McGrew.  Shanandoha has gone on to lead a very happy life, following his 3 year incarceration awaiting jury trial.  He is currently employed by the U.S. Department of Defense.  He is married with 2 children.

     Perhaps my greatest legacy are the former clients who, like Shanandoha,  have gone on to graduate from local colleges and universities, some who have even received Master's degrees.  A few others have become recognized local artists.  And many are active members of our community and role models for younger generations to come.

     I have always balanced my stressful criminal law practice with my love of music and am currently in four bands.  I also ran for Superior Court Judge in 1996 and lost despite having the support of almost the entire Santa Clara County Superior Court Bench.