Criminal Defense in Albany, California

Albany Criminal Defense Lawyer — Morris Law PC

Albany is a small Alameda County city of approximately 20,000 residents bordering Berkeley to the north. Its student population (UC Berkeley graduate housing at Albany Village), proximity to the Solano Avenue retail corridor, and access to I-80 generate a distinct case mix: DUI, student conduct matters, domestic violence, and minor drug offenses. Morris Law PC’s Berkeley office (2001 Addison Street) is approximately 2 miles south of Albany’s city center.

Where Albany Cases Are Heard

Albany cases are heard at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (661 Washington Street, Oakland) for misdemeanors and the René C. Davidson Courthouse (1225 Fallon Street, Oakland) for felonies. The Alameda County DA’s main office handles charging. UC Berkeley student-conduct matters are handled separately by the university’s Student Conduct office.

Distance from our Oakland office: 2 miles north of our Berkeley office, 10 miles north of our Oakland office.

Charges We Defend in Albany

Albany sees DUI enforcement on I-80 and San Pablo Avenue; drug and alcohol offenses among UC Berkeley graduate-student residents; domestic violence cases handled by Albany Police; and shoplifting and petty-theft cases from Solano Avenue and El Cerrito Plaza vicinity.

Morris Law PC represents Albany clients facing every category of California criminal charge:

How to Reach Morris Law PC From Albany

Our two East Bay offices coordinate Albany cases as a single firm. Most Albany clients meet at our Oakland office, just 2 miles north of our Berkeley office, 10 miles north of our Oakland office., but we offer secure video consultations and on-site interrogation response across Albany.

Oakland Office (Primary for Albany)

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

Albany Criminal Defense — Frequently Asked Questions

Does Albany have its own police department?

Yes — the Albany Police Department (APD) is the primary law-enforcement agency within Albany city limits. UC Berkeley Police have jurisdiction within Albany Village (graduate student housing) and other UC properties. CHP handles I-80 enforcement.

Where are Albany criminal cases prosecuted?

Misdemeanors at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (661 Washington Street, Oakland); felonies at the René C. Davidson Courthouse (1225 Fallon Street, Oakland). The Alameda County DA’s main office in Oakland handles charging.

How are UC Berkeley student matters handled?

A criminal arrest can trigger parallel proceedings: (1) criminal case in Alameda County court; (2) UC Berkeley Student Conduct & Community Standards investigation under the Student Code; (3) housing-contract review if the conduct happened in UC housing. We coordinate criminal defense with student-conduct advocacy from intake.

Is Albany part of Berkeley for legal purposes?

No — Albany is a separate, independent city in Alameda County. It has its own city government, police, and zip codes (94706 and parts of 94710). But its criminal courts, DA office, and county services are shared with Oakland and the broader county system.

How fast can Morris Law respond to an Albany arrest?

Our Berkeley office is 2 miles away (Berkeley to Albany via San Pablo or Solano), and our Oakland office is 10 miles south. Attorneys are reachable 24/7 at (510) 330-0814 and can respond to APD or UCPD interrogations within an hour.

Call Morris Law PC About Your Albany Case

Free, confidential consultations are available 24/7 — including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Call (510) 330-0814 or schedule online.