Criminal Defense in Berkeley Hills, Berkeley

Berkeley Hills Berkeley criminal defense — Morris Law PC serving Alameda County

Berkeley Hills is a hillside residential Berkeley neighborhood in ZIP 94708. The Berkeley Hills feature Tilden Regional Park approaches, the Berkeley Rose Garden, panoramic Bay views, and quiet winding residential streets. It’s characterized by wildfire zone building requirements and mid-century modern homes. Morris Law PC’s Berkeley office at 2025 Rose Street is approximately 2.5 miles from Berkeley Hills — a 10-minute drive or walk. We defend Berkeley Hills residents across every category of California criminal charge.

Where Berkeley Hills Cases Are Heard

Criminal cases arising in Berkeley Hills are prosecuted by the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. Depending on charge level, arraignment happens at one of two Oakland courthouses:

Both courthouses are 3–5 miles south of Berkeley. Some traffic and infraction matters may be heard at the Berkeley Courthouse at 2120 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. Custody transport following arrest is typically to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin.

Berkeley Hills Neighborhood Overview

Boundaries: East of Euclid Avenue and Grizzly Peak Boulevard, running the length of Berkeley along the hillside

Major streets: Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Spruce Street, Euclid Avenue, Marin Avenue, Vine Street

Nearest BART: North Berkeley BART (~2 miles west) or Downtown Berkeley BART (~2 miles southwest)

Police jurisdiction: Berkeley Police Department (BPD). Traffic on Interstate 80, Interstate 580, University Avenue at freeway approaches, and the Ashby BART tunnel may involve the California Highway Patrol. Some cases with campus involvement may also involve the UC Berkeley Police Department.

Charges We Defend in Berkeley Hills

Morris Law represents Berkeley Hills clients facing every category of California criminal charge. Common cases include:

  • DUI — Vehicle Code §23152/§23153 arrests, common on University Avenue and I-80 approaches
  • Drug crimes — possession, sale, and diversion-eligible cases under Prop 47 and PC 1000
  • Domestic violence — PC 273.5, PC 243(e)(1) with restraining-order defense
  • Violent crimes — assault (PC 245), battery, criminal threats (PC 422)
  • Theft crimes — petty theft, grand theft, burglary, robbery
  • Weapons charges — PC 25400 CCW, PC 25850, PC 29800 felon in possession
  • Sex crimes — including Title IX matters with UC Berkeley overlap
  • Felony defense — including strike offenses
  • Misdemeanor defense — first-offense and repeat-offense representation

Diversion Options for Berkeley Hills Residents

Alameda County offers strong first-offender infrastructure that Berkeley Hills residents frequently qualify for:

  • PC 1000 pretrial drug diversion — simple possession cases, dismissal on completion
  • PC 1001.36 mental health diversion — cases where mental health condition contributed
  • PC 1001.95 judicial diversion — most misdemeanors regardless of history
  • PC 1001.80 military diversion — for veterans

See our Alameda County Diversion Programs guide for complete details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do Berkeley Hills criminal cases go to court?

Misdemeanor cases arising in Berkeley Hills are arraigned at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse at 661 Washington Street in downtown Oakland. Felony cases go to the René C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street. Some infraction matters may be handled at the Berkeley Courthouse at 2120 Martin Luther King Jr. Way.

Which police department handles Berkeley Hills?

The Berkeley Police Department (BPD) has primary jurisdiction over Berkeley Hills. Certain cases — those involving I-80, I-580, or the UC Berkeley campus — may involve the California Highway Patrol or UC Berkeley Police Department.

How far is Morris Law PC’s Berkeley office from Berkeley Hills?

Morris Law’s Berkeley office at 2025 Rose Street, Suite 200 is approximately 2.5 miles from Berkeley Hills — a 10-minute drive or walk. Our Berkeley office serves as the primary defense location for Berkeley Hills residents.

Where will I be booked if arrested in Berkeley Hills?

Most Berkeley arrests are booked at either the Berkeley Police Department facility at 2100 Martin Luther King Jr. Way or transferred to Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, the Alameda County Sheriff’s main custody facility. See our Santa Rita Jail guide for bail-out and visit information.

What is the fastest way to get legal help after an arrest in Berkeley Hills?

Call Morris Law PC at (510) 824-8831 — we answer 24/7. Bail-out and DA charging decisions happen in the first 48 hours; getting counsel involved before arraignment materially improves case outcomes.

Talk to a Berkeley Criminal Defense Attorney

Morris Law PC has defended Berkeley Hills residents across every category of California criminal charge. Founding attorney Seth Morris was a Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County, with 25+ jury trials in the same Oakland courthouses where Berkeley Hills cases are heard.

Call (510) 824-8831 for a free 24/7 consultation. Berkeley office: 2025 Rose Street, Suite 200 (510) 824-8831. Oakland office: 2744 E 11th Street (510) 824-8831.