San Francisco Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested in San Francisco, your case will move through the San Francisco County criminal justice system. San Francisco cases are heard at the San Francisco Hall of Justice (850 Bryant Street) for state matters and the Phillip Burton Federal Building (450 Golden Gate Avenue) for federal cases. The first hours after an arrest are decisive — bail, charging decisions, evidence preservation, and protective-order requests all happen quickly.
Morris Law PC defends San Francisco clients in every category of California criminal charge — DUI, drug, domestic violence, theft, violent, weapons, sex, federal, white collar, and major felony cases. Free consultation: (510) 330-0814.
Criminal Defense in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, with a population of approximately 808,000, is the West Bay’s largest city and home to both the San Francisco Superior Court (handling state criminal cases) and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (handling federal prosecutions). Morris Law PC defends San Francisco clients in both state and federal court, with particular focus on federal cases at the Phillip Burton Federal Building, white-collar prosecutions, and complex state-court cases that benefit from East Bay tactical experience.
Where San Francisco Cases Are Heard
San Francisco state cases are heard at the San Francisco Hall of Justice at 850 Bryant Street (felony and major misdemeanor) and the Civic Center Courthouse at 400 McAllister Street (traffic and minor misdemeanors). Federal cases proceed at the Phillip Burton Federal Building at 450 Golden Gate Avenue. The San Francisco District Attorney’s office handles state charging; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California handles federal cases.
Distance from our Oakland office: 14 miles west of our Oakland office — approximately 20–30 minutes via the Bay Bridge on I-80 outside of peak commute hours.
Charges We Defend in San Francisco
San Francisco generates substantial federal case volume (the Northern District of California’s headquarters is here) — drug trafficking, fraud, securities cases, immigration-related offenses, RICO. State cases include DUI from MUNI/Caltrain corridor enforcement, drug offenses, theft cases connected to retail and tourist areas, and complex white-collar prosecutions from financial-district employers.
Morris Law PC represents San Francisco clients facing every category of California criminal charge:
How to Reach Morris Law PC From San Francisco
Our two East Bay offices coordinate San Francisco cases as a single firm. Most San Francisco clients meet at our Oakland office, just 14 miles west of our Oakland office, but we offer secure video consultations and on-site interrogation response across San Francisco.
Oakland Office (Primary for San Francisco)
1300 Clay St, Suite 600
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 824-8831
Berkeley Office
2001 Addison St, Suite 300
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 350-3225
San Francisco Criminal Defense — Frequently Asked Questions
Where are San Francisco federal criminal cases prosecuted?
At the Phillip Burton Federal Building (450 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco) — the main courthouse for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Most federal cases involving Bay Area defendants proceed here. The Court of Appeals is the Ninth Circuit (95 Seventh Street, San Francisco).
Where are San Francisco state criminal cases prosecuted?
Felonies and major misdemeanors at the San Francisco Hall of Justice (850 Bryant Street). Traffic and minor misdemeanors at the Civic Center Courthouse (400 McAllister Street). The San Francisco District Attorney’s office handles charging.
How is the San Francisco DA’s approach different from Alameda or Contra Costa?
The SF DA has historically taken a different stance on certain prosecution categories — including diversion availability, restorative-justice options, and charging discretion on theft and drug cases. We adapt strategy based on the current administration’s policies and the assigned deputy DA. Pretrial intervention, mental-health diversion, and PC §1001.95 diversion remain available.
Can my Oakland-based attorney handle a federal case in San Francisco?
Yes — federal cases in the Northern District of California are routinely handled across both the Oakland and San Francisco federal courthouses. We appear in both. Our team has extensive experience with federal procedure, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, and pre-indictment negotiation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
How quickly can Morris Law respond to a San Francisco arrest?
Attorneys are reachable 24/7 at (510) 330-0814. Travel from Oakland is about 20–30 minutes via the Bay Bridge. We can be at SFPD interrogations, the SF Hall of Justice, or the federal courthouse within an hour.
Call Morris Law PC About Your San Francisco Case
Free, confidential consultations are available 24/7 — including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Call (510) 330-0814 or schedule online.