Morris Law is an Oakland criminal defense law firm. Call (510) 824-8831 for a free case review of your federal charges case. Federal Charges in California is governed by Title 18 U.S.C. (federal criminal code) and 21 U.S.C. §841 (federal drug offenses). Our office at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland is in East Oakland, about 2 miles from the Alameda County courthouses in Downtown Oakland — where every Oakland case is heard. Seth Morris spent years in those courthouses as a Deputy Public Defender.

What is federal charges under California law?

Oakland Federal Crime Lawyer — Morris Law

Federal crimes are prosecuted in United States District Court by Assistant U.S. Attorneys. For Oakland residents, that means the Northern District of California — with the Oakland federal courthouse at 1301 Clay Street and San Francisco at 450 Golden Gate Avenue. Federal cases start with either a criminal complaint or a grand jury indictment. There is no parole in the federal system — defendants serve approximately 85% of any sentence. Mandatory minimums apply to drug, firearm, and child-pornography offenses.

Penalties for federal charges in California

Penalties vary sharply by specific statute, degree, and prior record. Here are the primary ranges we see in Oakland and Alameda County cases:

  • Federal drug trafficking (21 U.S.C. §841): 5-year mandatory minimum at 500g cocaine, 28g crack, 100g heroin, 50g pure meth, 100kg marijuana. 10-year minimum at 5x those amounts
  • Conspiracy (18 U.S.C. §371 / 21 U.S.C. §846): up to 5 years general; drug conspiracy = same minimums as underlying
  • Felon in possession (18 U.S.C. §922(g)): up to 10 years. ACCA enhancement 15-year mandatory minimum
  • 18 U.S.C. §924(c) firearm during drug/violent crime: +5, +7, or +10 consecutive
  • Wire and mail fraud (18 U.S.C. §§1341, 1343): up to 20 years per count
  • Money laundering (18 U.S.C. §1956): up to 20 years
  • Child pornography (18 U.S.C. §2251/2252): production = 15-year mandatory minimum
  • Hobbs Act robbery (18 U.S.C. §1951): up to 20 years
  • RICO (18 U.S.C. §1962): up to 20 years per count plus mandatory forfeiture

Collateral consequences — professional licensing, immigration status, firearm rights, and future employment — often exceed the direct sentence.

How Morris Law defends federal charges cases in Oakland

Every case is different, but the defense strategies below produce the most dismissals, reductions, and acquittals:

  • Pre-indictment intervention — federal investigations often last years. Retaining counsel during the target-letter stage can prevent indictment.
  • Fourth Amendment / suppression — Wiretap challenges under 18 U.S.C. §2518, Franks hearings, and challenges to GPS, pole-camera, and cell-site simulator surveillance.
  • Withdrawal from conspiracy — affirmative withdrawal before objects are achieved cuts off subsequent liability.
  • Safety valve relief (18 U.S.C. §3553(f)) — first-time non-violent drug defendants can bypass mandatory minimums.
  • Substantial assistance (U.S.S.G. §5K1.1) — cooperation against larger targets leads to downward departure.
  • Variance under 18 U.S.C. §3553(a) — Guidelines are advisory since United States v. Booker (2005).
  • Categorical-approach challenges — many enhancements (ACCA, career offender) require priors to meet elements tests under Mathis v. United States.
  • First Step Act and compassionate release — retroactive sentencing reform and extraordinary-and-compelling motions.

What to do if you are arrested for federal charges in Oakland

Most Oakland arrests are made by the Oakland Police Department (OPD). BART Police handle transit arrests. CHP handles freeway enforcement. Alameda County Sheriff handles unincorporated areas. Take these steps:

  1. Invoke your right to counsel. Under Miranda v. Arizona, you must clearly say you want a lawyer, then stop talking.
  2. Do not consent to a search. Officers need a warrant, probable cause, or your consent. Refuse politely.
  3. Call Morris Law at (510) 824-8831. We answer 24 hours a day.
  4. Preserve evidence. Photograph injuries or damage. Note officers’ names, badge numbers, and witnesses.
  5. Stay off social media and jail phones. Both are recorded and admissible.
  6. Write down your account for your attorney. Record events while fresh.

Why Oakland residents choose Morris Law for federal charges defense

Morris Law was founded by Seth Morris, a former Alameda County Deputy Public Defender. What we bring to every case:

  • Seth Morris was a Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County. He defended clients at the Wiley W. Manuel and René C. Davidson courthouses regularly.
  • More than 25 jury trials, including life-in-prison exposure cases.
  • Federal recognition on police body cameras and 4th Amendment. President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing contributor.
  • Published in the Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and Salon. Interviewed on MSNBC, NBC Bay Area, KQED, KALW.
  • Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St — East Oakland, about 2 miles from the courthouses.
  • 24/7 phone access at (510) 824-8831.
  • Clear, plain-language updates.

Seth Morris is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, and the Alameda County Bar Association.

How federal charges cases move through Alameda County

Stage Where Timing
Arrest Oakland — often by OPD Day 0
Booking Glenn E. Dyer or Santa Rita Jail Day 0–1
Arraignment Wiley W. Manuel or René C. Davidson Within 48 hours in custody
Preliminary hearing (felony) René C. Davidson Courthouse Within 10 court days in custody
Trial Wiley W. Manuel or René C. Davidson Within 60 days if not waived

Federal Charges defense in Oakland — Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Oakland federal criminal cases heard?

At the Northern District of California — Oakland federal courthouse (1301 Clay Street) or San Francisco federal courthouse (450 Golden Gate Avenue). Appeals go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Is there parole in the federal system?

No. The federal parole system was abolished by the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984. Federal defendants serve approximately 85% of any sentence, earning up to 54 days of good-conduct credit per year.

What is a target letter in a federal investigation?

A target letter is a notice from the U.S. Attorney’s Office that you are the focus of a grand-jury investigation and may be indicted. It is the most important moment to retain counsel — pre-indictment negotiation, queen-for-a-day proffers, and declinations are all possible before charges are filed.

Where do Oakland criminal cases go to court?

Oakland cases go to Alameda County Superior Court. Misdemeanors and traffic go to the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (661 Washington St). Felonies go to the René C. Davidson Courthouse (1225 Fallon St). Our attorneys appear at both regularly.

Who is Seth Morris?

Seth Morris founded Morris Law in 2021. He earned his JD at UC Berkeley School of Law in 2006, served as a Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County, and has tried more than 25 jury trials — including cases with life-in-prison exposure. He helped develop the national Body Camera Toolkit for President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing.

How quickly can I meet with an Oakland criminal defense lawyer?

Same day, in most cases. Attorneys are reachable 24 hours a day at (510) 824-8831. If a family member has been booked at Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility or Santa Rita Jail, we can arrange contact within hours.

Get a free federal charges case review

Talk to an Oakland criminal defense lawyer today. Call (510) 824-8831 or fill out our online form. Free case review. 24-hour phone. Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St.

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Specific federal crime charges we defend in Oakland

Each link opens a page written for that specific charge — with the exact statute, penalties, defenses, and case examples.

Related pages

Official government resources