Where Your Emeryville Case Will Be Heard
Every criminal case originating in Emeryville is handled by the Alameda County Superior Court system. Emeryville sits between Oakland and Berkeley, and every arrest here goes into the Oakland courthouse pipeline.
Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse — Your Primary Courthouse
661 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607. This is where all Emeryville criminal matters begin — arraignments, misdemeanor trials, and felony preliminary hearings. Department 501 handles felony matters. Misdemeanor arraignments and trials are heard in Department 601. Your arraignment will take place here within 48 to 72 hours of arrest. Morris Law PC’s Oakland office is approximately 10 minutes from this courthouse.
Rene C. Davidson Courthouse — Major Felony Trials
1225 Fallon St, Oakland, CA 94612. Serious felony trials — murder, rape, major drug trafficking — are heard here. Seth Morris has tried murder cases in this building with outcomes including dismissals and no-time deals.
After Arrest in Emeryville — Where You Will Be Held
Emeryville PD arrests go to Emeryville Police Department Jail (2449 Powell St) for initial booking, then transfer to Glenn Dyer Detention Facility (550 6th St, Oakland, CA 94607) or Santa Rita Jail (5325 Broder Blvd, Dublin, CA 94568). Call Morris Law PC the moment you are allowed a phone call: (510) 350-3225 — available 24 hours.
The Alameda County District Attorney
All Emeryville cases are prosecuted by the Alameda County DA’s office out of Oakland. Seth Morris knows the DA units that handle Emeryville cases, their charging patterns, and where cases are most vulnerable to dismissal or reduction before trial.
Nearby cities we also serve: Oakland | Berkeley | Albany | Piedmont | All Alameda County Cities
"Seth was available the same night I called, walked me through everything, and handled my case at the Oakland courthouse like he had been there a hundred times. Charges were dismissed."
Emeryville Criminal Defense Practice Areas
Morris Law PC defends Emeryville residents against the full range of criminal charges in Alameda County courts. Every case is different — the details of your arrest and the strength of the evidence determine the best defense strategy. Here are the charge types we handle most frequently for Emeryville clients.
DUI Defense — Emeryville PD conducts DUI enforcement on Powell Street, Christie Avenue, and the I-80 and I-580 interchange. You have 10 days from arrest to request your DMV hearing or your license is automatically suspended. We handle the criminal case and DMV hearing simultaneously.
Drug Crimes — Emeryville’s proximity to I-80 and I-580 makes it a frequent target for narcotics enforcement. Many arrests involve constitutionally questionable searches. We challenge these first — a successful Fourth Amendment challenge can suppress all evidence and result in dismissal.
Domestic Violence — Emeryville PD has a mandatory arrest policy for DV calls. Charges are filed even when the alleged victim does not want to press charges. False allegations, self-defense, and mutual combat require experienced defense from day one.
Felony Defense — Emeryville felony cases begin at Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse and can result in state prison sentences. Seth Morris has handled hundreds of felony cases in Alameda County courts.
Theft and Retail Crimes — Emeryville’s Bay Street shopping center and Emeryville Public Market are two of the most active retail crime enforcement areas in the East Bay. Shoplifting and organized retail crime charges are prosecuted aggressively in Alameda County.
Murder and Violent Crimes — The most serious charges require the most experienced defense. Morris Law PC has handled murder cases in Alameda County with outcomes including dismissals and no-time deals.
Federal Crimes — Emeryville’s location near the Port of Oakland and major interstates means federal charges are prosecuted through the Northern District of California Federal Court in Oakland.
Also: Sex Crimes | Weapons Charges | Juvenile Defense | Misdemeanor | Violent Crimes | Gang Crimes
What Happens After an Emeryville Arrest
Step 1 — Arrest by Emeryville Police Department
Emeryville PD (2449 Powell St, (510) 596-3700) patrols the Powell Street retail corridor, Bay Street shopping area, Emeryville Public Market, Christie Avenue, and residential neighborhoods near the BART station. Stay silent. Do not answer questions. Do not consent to searches. Read our Criminal Court Process guide.
Step 2 — Booking at Emeryville PD Jail
After arrest you will be transported to Emeryville PD at 2449 Powell St for processing. You are entitled to phone calls — use them to call Morris Law PC: (510) 350-3225. Do not discuss your case with anyone — all calls are recorded.
Step 3 — Transfer to Glenn Dyer or Santa Rita
Most Emeryville arrestees transfer to Glenn Dyer Detention Facility (550 6th St, Oakland) for shorter holds or Santa Rita Jail (5325 Broder Blvd, Dublin) for longer holds. Read our Bail Guide to understand how to get someone released quickly.
Step 4 — Arraignment at Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse
Your arraignment at 661 Washington St, Oakland occurs within 48 to 72 hours. Having an attorney at arraignment is critical — we argue for lower bail or own-recognizance release and begin building your defense from day one.
Step 5 — Pre-Trial: Discovery, Evidence, Motions
Seth Morris reviews every piece of body camera footage, every police report, every witness statement — looking for Fourth Amendment violations, Miranda problems, and chain of custody gaps. A successful suppression motion can eliminate the prosecution’s key evidence and force a dismissal.
Step 6 — Resolution: Negotiation or Trial
Most Emeryville cases resolve through negotiated plea. Seth knows the Alameda County DA — which prosecutors handle which charge types, what they will negotiate on, and when pushing for trial is the right strategic move. 25+ jury trials on record including murder cases.
Why Emeryville Residents Choose Morris Law PC
Our Office Is 10 Minutes Away
Our Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St is approximately 10 minutes from Emeryville — one of the closest criminal defense firms to Emeryville residents. We offer virtual consultations for clients who cannot travel.
We Know the Oakland Courthouses Inside and Out
Seth Morris appeared in Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse and Rene C. Davidson Courthouse as a Deputy Public Defender for nearly a decade. He knows the judges, the DA units that handle Emeryville cases, and which arguments move the needle in each department.
Available the Moment You Need Us
Emeryville arrests happen late at night near Bay Street and the bar corridor. You need an attorney available the moment the handcuffs go on. Call (510) 350-3225 any hour, any day.
Immigration Consequences — We Address Them First
Emeryville’s biotech and tech workforce includes a significant non-citizen population. Under Padilla v. Kentucky (2010), your defense attorney is legally required to advise you of the immigration consequences of any plea. Seth Morris evaluates immigration consequences from the very first consultation — not as an afterthought but as a central pillar of your defense strategy. A conviction — even for a misdemeanor — can trigger deportation, loss of visa status, bars to naturalization, and ICE detention.
A Documented Record of Results
25+ jury trials. Murder cases resulting in no prison time. Drug charges dismissed on constitutional grounds. DUI charges reduced at DMV hearings. Read our case results and client reviews.
We also serve clients in neighboring cities:
Oakland | Berkeley | Albany | Piedmont | El Cerrito | All Alameda County Cities