Oakland Criminal Defense Attorney
The Volume of Injustice is Deafening, and you need Seth Morris in your corner.When the Alameda County system moves against you, do not face it alone. Seth Morris has tried more than 25 jury trials in Oakland, including cases with life-in-prison exposure. As a former Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County, Seth has spent years in the Wiley W. Manuel and René C. Davidson courthouses — the same courthouses where every Oakland criminal case is heard. Call us any time.
Meet Seth Morris — Founding Attorney
Seth Morris founded Morris Law in 2021. Before that, he was a Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County — the exact courthouses where every Oakland criminal case is heard. He has tried more than 25 jury trials, including cases where his clients faced life in prison. When the stakes are highest, he goes to work.
Seth started his career at Latham & Watkins, one of the largest law firms in the world. But he wanted to work directly for people accused of crimes, not corporations. That led him to the Alameda County Public Defender’s office, then to a partnership at Cooper, Cooper & Morris, and finally to founding Morris Law.
Seth is nationally recognized on police body cameras and 4th Amendment issues. In 2015, President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing invited him to help develop the national Body Camera Toolkit for police agencies, District Attorney offices, and Public Defender offices. He has been published in the Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and Salon, and interviewed on MSNBC’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, NBC Bay Area, KQED, and KALW.
He is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and the Alameda County Bar Association. He earned his JD from UC Berkeley School of Law in 2006 and his undergraduate degree from Columbia University.
Why Oakland Chooses Morris Law for Criminal Defense
Our office sits at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601 — in East Oakland, near San Antonio, Fruitvale, and the Lake Merritt district. From there, our attorneys travel to the Alameda County courthouses in Downtown Oakland every week.
Where Oakland cases go to court
Every Oakland criminal case is heard at one of two Alameda County courthouses:
- Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse — 661 Washington Street, Oakland, CA 94607. Handles misdemeanor arraignments, traffic, and preliminary matters. Two blocks from 12th Street BART.
- René C. Davidson Courthouse — 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612. Handles felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, jury trials, and sentencing. Three blocks from Lake Merritt BART.
Seth Morris spent years in both courthouses as a Deputy Public Defender. He knows the judges, the deputy DAs, and the procedures. That local court knowledge is the biggest advantage we bring to every Oakland case.
Neighborhoods, landmarks, and coverage area
Oakland is a large city with distinct neighborhoods. Our practice covers all of them: Downtown, Uptown, West Oakland, East Oakland, Fruitvale, Montclair, Rockridge, Temescal, Piedmont Avenue, Grand Lake, Chinatown, Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, Adams Point, the Dimond, Laurel, San Antonio, Trestle Glen, Glenview, and Melrose. We also handle cases in the enclave cities that Oakland surrounds — Piedmont, Emeryville, and Alameda — plus San Leandro and the rest of Alameda County.
Our attorneys have handled cases involving arrests near Lake Merritt, the Oakland Coliseum, the Fox Theater, Frank Ogawa Plaza, Jack London Square, the Port of Oakland, and every major BART station in the city — Fruitvale, Coliseum, Lake Merritt, 12th Street, 19th Street, MacArthur, Rockridge, and West Oakland.
How Oakland cases route through the county system
An arrest by Oakland Police (OPD) starts the process. From there, the case goes to the Alameda County District Attorney for filing. Misdemeanors and felony arraignments happen within 48 hours if you are in custody. Felony preliminary hearings must happen within 10 court days if you are held. That is a short window to build a defense.
Bail is set at arraignment. Booking usually happens at Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility (550 6th St, Oakland) or Santa Rita Jail (5325 Broder Blvd, Dublin) for pre-trial detention. Federal cases route to the Northern District of California courthouses in Oakland (1301 Clay St) or San Francisco (450 Golden Gate Ave).
Insights from Attorney Seth Morris
Follow along for quick legal tips and Bay Area criminal defense updates
Criminal Charges We Defend in Oakland
From our Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St, Morris Law defends clients against every category of California criminal charge — from misdemeanors and DUI to life-exposure felonies, federal cases in the Northern District of California, and complex white-collar prosecutions. Seth Morris has tried more than 25 jury trials in Alameda County. Each practice area below links to the specific statutes, penalties, and defenses we use.
Gang Enhancements
We handle all gang-related offenses, such as assault, battery, gang-related murder, and more.
Drug Crimes
We defend against charges of possession, possession for sale, transportation, and manufacturing, among other offenses regarding a variety of drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana.
Weapons Charges
From unlawful possession to assault with a deadly weapon, we’ll explain your rights under California’s gun laws.
Violent Crimes
From criminal threats to kidnapping, violent crimes are diverse and heavily penalized under California law. However, a violent crime attorney is key in obtaining a desirable outcome.
Sex Crimes
If you have been charged with any of the previously mentioned sex crimes, or another sex crime that was not listed on this page, Attorney Seth Morris can help you obtain the acquittal you need to put this nightmare behind you.
Domestic Violence
Domestic violence charges can have a devastating impact on your life and family. Seth Morris knows your rights and will help you walk through the criminal process unscathed.
Juvenile Offenses
Don’t let your child fall victim to the system.
DUI
We’ll defend you against charges for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs to help prevent jail time, fines, license suspension, and a hindered future.
Federal Charges
Carrying substantial penalties, we take high-level cases that have escalated to federal offenses for drugs, firearms, and any other conduct that falls within the jurisdiction of the federal government.
Murder
When facing murder charges, you need to have a reputable and experienced murder charge lawyer in Oakland, CA defend you.
Theft Crimes
Whether you’ve been falsely accused or you were the rightful owner of the property, your Oakland theft defense lawyer will challenge the prosecution’s case and fight to keep your future clear.
Felony Charges
The felony charges against you could result in a lifelong prison sentence if you do not take steps to defend yourself.
You’re Not Alone When You Face Criminal Penalties in California
Although you may feel like your criminal case is too far gone, you don’t need to accept your fate. Oakland criminal defense attorney Seth Morris knows your future is riding on the court’s decision, and it’s his job to ensure a reduction or dismissal of your criminal charges.
Misdemeanor Offenses in Oakland, CA
The penalties for a misdemeanor offense in Alameda County range and can be different depending on the type of misdemeanor. However, misdemeanors that don’t have a set punishment listed in the statute could have a maximum penalty of six months in jail and fines up to $1,000. These crimes include the following:
Possession of drugs like cocaine, heroin, or meth for personal use
Shoplifting of property worth $950 or less
Felony Offenses in Oakland, CA
Felony criminal offenses have low-term, mid-term, and high-term prison sentences that range depending on the statute. For a charge like drug possession transportation, you could face a sentence of 3, 4, or 5 years instead of a sentence of 3 to 5 years. The judge must choose a specific number of years for a jail sentence. Your criminal charges could be reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor if you were charged with a wobbler crime.
Wobbler Crimes in Alameda County
Wobbler crimes could be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. It is up to the prosecution to decide whether a crime should be charged as a felony or misdemeanor. This decision is often impacted by the circumstances of the crime and if the defendant has had prior convictions. Domestic violence assault is a common wobbler crime. If the assault caused severe injuries, you could be charged with a felony and face 2, 3, or 4 years in prison. If the assault was charged as a misdemeanor, you might face jail time of 1 year and fines up to $6,000.
California's Three-Strikes Law
California’s three-strikes law aims to prevent individuals with prior convictions for violent felonies from reoffending. Under the three-strikes rule, the penalties progress after each strike:
First serious or violent felony – Normal statutory penalty
Second violent felony – Mandatory sentence of double the normal statutory penalty
Third violent felony – Mandatory sentence of 25 years to life
Without a qualified criminal defense attorney, the outcome of your case is unclear. It takes a skilled criminal lawyer like Seth Morris to discredit the evidence against you, effectively negotiate with the prosecution, and highlight a path to the best possible outcome for your case.
Oakland Neighborhoods and Alameda County Cities We Serve
We defend clients in every Oakland neighborhood and across Alameda County. Below is where we work most often. Each link goes to a page written for that neighborhood — the courthouse, the local police, the BART station, and case examples.
Do not see your neighborhood? Call (510) 824-8831. We handle criminal cases across all of Alameda County and the wider Bay Area, including Berkeley, Contra Costa County, and Solano County. Visit our Areas We Serve page for the full list of cities we cover.
Click a location in blue for more information.
Alameda County
Publications & Appearances
Attorney Morris has been interviewed and called upon to comment on topics and events impacting the legal industry throughout his career. From publications in the Washington Post to speaking at local Universities, Seth Morris has positioned himself as a thought-leader covering today’s legal issues.
See All News MediaFrequently Asked Questions About Oakland Criminal Defense
Where is Morris Law's Oakland office?
Morris Law's Oakland office is at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601. Call (510) 824-8831 for a free case review. Our office sits in East Oakland, near San Antonio and Fruitvale, about 2 miles from the downtown courthouses.
Where do Oakland criminal cases go to court?
All Oakland criminal cases go to the Alameda County Superior Court in Downtown Oakland. Misdemeanors are heard at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (661 Washington Street). Felonies are heard at the René C. Davidson Courthouse (1225 Fallon Street). Our attorneys appear at both regularly.
Who is Seth Morris?
Seth Morris is the founding attorney of Morris Law. He was a Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County, has tried more than 25 jury trials (including life-in-prison cases), and helped develop the national Body Camera Toolkit for President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing. He has been published in the Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and Salon.
What criminal charges does Morris Law defend in Oakland?
Morris Law defends every category of California criminal charge in Oakland — DUI (VC 23152), drug offenses (Health & Safety Code 11350, 11351, 11377, 11378), domestic violence (PC 273.5, 243(e)(1)), assault and battery (PC 240, 242, 245), theft and robbery (PC 484, 487, 211), sex crimes, weapons charges (PC 25400, 29800), gang enhancements (PC 186.22), murder (PC 187), federal charges in the Northern District of California, and juvenile matters (WIC 602).
How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Oakland?
Fees depend on the charge and case complexity. Most misdemeanor defenses start with a flat fee covering pre-filing through resolution. Felony fees are quoted after a free case review. Payment plans are available. Call (510) 824-8831 for a specific quote.
How quickly can I meet with a lawyer after an Oakland arrest?
Same day, in most cases. If you or a family member was booked at Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility in Downtown Oakland or Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, we can arrange a visit or a call within hours. Call (510) 824-8831 any time — we answer 24 hours a day.
What happens at an arraignment in Oakland?
At arraignment, the judge reads the charges, sets bail (or grants own-recognizance release), and asks how you plead. The hearing usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. It is critical to have counsel present. Never plead guilty at arraignment without first talking to an attorney — that plea will bind you.
Can my Oakland case be dismissed?
Yes, when the facts and law support dismissal. We file motions to suppress evidence under Penal Code 1538.5 (illegally obtained evidence), motions to dismiss under Penal Code 995 (insufficient evidence), and pre-filing letters that sometimes stop charges from being filed at all. Every case is evaluated for a dismissal path first.
Does Morris Law handle federal criminal cases from Oakland?
Yes. Federal cases involving Oakland residents proceed in the Northern District of California — with courthouses in Oakland (1301 Clay Street) and San Francisco (450 Golden Gate Avenue). Seth Morris has represented clients in federal drug, firearm, fraud, and RICO matters.
Which Oakland neighborhoods does Morris Law serve?
We defend clients in every Oakland neighborhood: Downtown, Uptown, West Oakland, East Oakland, Fruitvale, Montclair, Rockridge, Temescal, Piedmont Avenue, Grand Lake, Chinatown, Jack London Square, Lake Merritt, Adams Point, the Dimond, Laurel, and San Antonio. We also handle cases in Piedmont, Emeryville, Alameda, and across Alameda County.