Kensington Criminal Defense Attorney
If you have been arrested in Kensington, your case will move through the Contra Costa County criminal justice system. Kensington cases are heard at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez. The first hours after an arrest are decisive — bail, charging decisions, evidence preservation, and protective-order requests all happen quickly.
Morris Law PC defends Kensington 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 Kensington, California
Kensington is a small, affluent unincorporated community of approximately 5,000 residents in Contra Costa County, sitting directly above Berkeley and Albany on the East Bay hills. Because Kensington is unincorporated, its police function is performed by the Kensington Police Protection & Community Services District (KPPCSD), a unique special-district arrangement. Cases originating in Kensington are prosecuted by the Contra Costa County District Attorney and heard at the Walnut Creek branch or the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez. Morris Law PC’s Berkeley office is approximately 1 mile away.
Where Kensington Cases Are Heard
Kensington cases are heard at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez (725 Court Street) for felonies, and at the Walnut Creek branch (640 Ygnacio Valley Road) for misdemeanors. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office handles charging.
Distance from our Oakland office: 1 mile north of our Berkeley office; 6 miles north of our Oakland office — approximately 5–15 minutes via Arlington Avenue or San Pablo Avenue.
Charges We Defend in Kensington
Kensington sees DUI enforcement on Arlington Avenue, Berkeley-border Solano Avenue, and Highway 80; juvenile cases connected to Kensington Hilltop Elementary and surrounding private schools; white-collar offenses tied to the affluent resident base; and domestic-violence cases handled by KPPCSD.
Morris Law PC represents Kensington clients facing every category of California criminal charge:
How to Reach Morris Law PC From Kensington
Our two East Bay offices coordinate Kensington cases as a single firm. Most Kensington clients meet at our Oakland office, just 1 mile north of our Berkeley office; 6 miles north of our Oakland office, but we offer secure video consultations and on-site interrogation response across Kensington.
Oakland Office (Primary for Kensington)
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
Kensington Criminal Defense — Frequently Asked Questions
Who polices Kensington — is there a city police department?
There is no city police because Kensington is unincorporated. Instead, the Kensington Police Protection & Community Services District (KPPCSD) operates Kensington Police — a unique special-district arrangement governed by an elected board. Contra Costa County Sheriff also has jurisdiction in unincorporated areas. CHP handles freeway enforcement on I-80.
Where are Kensington criminal cases prosecuted?
Felonies at the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse (725 Court Street, Martinez); misdemeanors at the Walnut Creek branch (640 Ygnacio Valley Road). The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office handles charging. Even though Kensington borders Alameda County, it is Contra Costa County for legal purposes.
Will a Kensington case affect my UC Berkeley student status?
Possibly — many Kensington residents are connected to UC Berkeley (faculty, graduate students, staff). A criminal arrest can trigger parallel UC student-conduct proceedings under the Berkeley Campus Code of Student Conduct, independent of the criminal case. We coordinate criminal defense with student-conduct advocacy when applicable.
Is Kensington Police subject to standard police-conduct rules?
Yes. KPPCSD operates under the same constitutional rules as any agency (Fourth Amendment for searches, Miranda for interrogations), but its special-district structure means use-of-force policies, body-camera policies, and oversight differ from typical city PDs. We obtain agency policy and complete discovery for every case.
Can Morris Law respond quickly to a Kensington arrest?
Yes — our Berkeley office is 1 mile away (about 5 minutes), and Oakland is 6 miles. Attorneys are reachable 24/7 at (510) 330-0814. We can respond to KPPCSD interrogations or first court appearances at Walnut Creek/Martinez within an hour.
Call Morris Law PC About Your Kensington Case
Free, confidential consultations are available 24/7 — including evenings, weekends, and holidays. Call (510) 330-0814 or schedule online.