Morris Law is an Piedmont criminal defense law firm. Call (510) 824-8831 for a free case review. Our Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St is about 5 miles northeast of our Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St, via Park Boulevard or Highway 13, and our attorneys appear at the Alameda County courthouses in Downtown Oakland — Wiley W. Manuel and René C. Davidson — every week. That is where every Piedmont criminal case is heard.

Piedmont case landscape — what our practice sees most

Piedmont criminal defense — Morris Law

Piedmont is fully independent of Oakland despite being geographically surrounded by it. Piedmont Police Department (PPD) handles all in-city arrests. Piedmont cases route to the Alameda County courthouses in Downtown Oakland — Wiley W. Manuel for misdemeanors, René C. Davidson for felonies. The city’s wealth profile produces a distinct case mix: DUI on Highway 13 and Park Boulevard, juvenile cases connected to Piedmont High School and private schools like Head-Royce, white-collar offenses tied to the professional and finance-sector resident base, and domestic-violence cases that often intersect with affluent-family custody disputes.

Key streets and landmarks: Highland Avenue, Grand Avenue, Oakland Avenue, Wildwood Avenue, Blair Avenue, Winsor Avenue. Notable places include Piedmont Park, Piedmont High School, and the historic Highland Avenue district. The nearest BART is No BART stations in Piedmont; the closest are Rockridge BART and MacArthur BART, both about 2 miles away. Freeway access: Highway 13 borders Piedmont on the east; Highway 24 runs to the north.

Criminal charges we defend for Piedmont residents

Piedmont arrests can involve state charges, federal charges, or both. The list below covers the categories we handle most often. Each link opens a page with the specific statutes, penalties, defenses, and how Seth Morris has approached similar cases at trial.

Which courthouse handles Piedmont criminal cases?

All Piedmont criminal cases are heard at the Alameda County Superior Court in Downtown Oakland. Misdemeanors are handled at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse; felony matters proceed at the René C. Davidson Courthouse. Both are within one mile of each other in Downtown Oakland. Seth Morris spent years in both courthouses as a Deputy Public Defender, and our attorneys appear there every week.

Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (misdemeanors)

Address: 661 Washington St, Oakland, CA 94607
What routes here: misdemeanor arraignments, traffic, small-claims, and preliminary matters
Nearest BART: 12th Street / Oakland City Center (two blocks north)

René C. Davidson Courthouse (felonies)

Address: 1225 Fallon St, Oakland, CA 94612
What routes here: felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, jury trials, and sentencing
Nearest BART: Lake Merritt BART (three blocks south)

Juvenile cases (defendant under 18)

Address: 2500 Fairmont Dr, San Leandro, CA 94578
What routes here: WIC 602 petitions and juvenile-court matters

What to expect at your first hearing: the arraignment is a short hearing — usually 5 to 15 minutes — where the judge reads the charges, sets bail or grants own-recognizance release, and asks how you plead. This is the moment to have counsel present. Never plead guilty at arraignment without talking to a lawyer first.

What to do if you are arrested in Piedmont

Stay calm and speak as little as possible. In Piedmont, most arrests are made by the Piedmont Police Department (PPD). Take these steps immediately:

  1. Ask for a lawyer, then stop talking. Under Miranda v. Arizona, anything you say can and will be used against you at trial. Invoke your right to counsel out loud and clearly.
  2. Do not consent to a search. Officers must have a warrant, probable cause, or your consent to search you, your car, or your home. Refuse politely — refusal is not an admission of guilt.
  3. Call Morris Law. Our line is (510) 824-8831, answered 24 hours a day. If you are in custody, ask family to call on your behalf.
  4. Preserve evidence. Photograph any injuries, torn clothing, damaged doors, or property damage. Note the time of the arrest, the officers’ names and badge numbers, and any witnesses.
  5. Stay off social media. Prosecutors, judges setting bail, and probation officers all read social media. Anything posted becomes evidence.
  6. Write down your account. While the events are fresh, record what happened in your own words. Share only with your attorney.

The first 48 hours matter. Bail is set at the arraignment, and if you are in custody, a felony preliminary hearing must occur within 10 court days. Delaying the call to counsel narrows your options.

Why Piedmont residents call Morris Law

Morris Law was founded by Seth Morris, a former Alameda County Deputy Public Defender who spent years defending clients in the exact courthouses where Piedmont cases go. Here is 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. He knows the assigned judges, the deputy district attorneys, and the informal practices that shape outcomes.
  • More than 25 jury trials, including cases with life-in-prison exposure. When a case has to be tried, we know how to try it — from jury selection through closing argument.
  • Federal recognition on police body cameras and 4th Amendment litigation. President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing invited Seth Morris to help develop the national Body Camera Toolkit for police, district attorneys, and public defenders. He has guest-lectured on the 4th Amendment at UC Berkeley for three years running.
  • Published in the Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and Salon. Interviewed on MSNBC’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, NBC Bay Area, KQED, and KALW on criminal justice and police reform.
  • A real office nearby. Our Oakland location at 2744 E 11th St is about 5 miles northeast of our Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St, via Park Boulevard or Highway 13. That means faster in-person meetings, and rapid response when someone in Piedmont is arrested.
  • 24/7 phone access. Arrests don’t follow business hours; neither do we. Someone answers the phone at (510) 824-8831 around the clock.
  • Clear, plain-language updates. Criminal cases are stressful enough. You will know exactly what is happening at each stage, what the next hearing means, and what our next move is — without jargon.

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

Misdemeanor vs. felony process for Piedmont cases

The table below shows how each type of case moves through the Alameda County system. Both types of cases originate in Piedmont and route to the courthouses in Downtown Oakland.

Stage Misdemeanor Felony
Filing courthouse Wiley W. Manuel (661 Washington St) René C. Davidson (1225 Fallon St)
Arraignment deadline Within 48 hours (in custody) Within 48 hours (in custody)
Preliminary hearing Not applicable Required within 10 court days (in custody)
Maximum incarceration Up to 1 year county jail More than 1 year — often state prison or PC 1170(h) county jail
Jury trial right Yes (12 jurors) Yes (12 jurors)
Diversion options PC 1001.95 judicial diversion (most misdemeanors) PC 1001.36 mental health, PC 1000 drug possession
Post-conviction relief Expungement under Penal Code 1203.4 Wobbler reduction (PC 17(b)) then expungement under PC 1203.4

Piedmont criminal defense FAQ

Do you handle criminal cases in Piedmont?

Yes. Morris Law defends Piedmont residents in every category of state and federal criminal charge. Our office at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland is about 5 miles northeast of our Oakland office at 2744 E 11th St, via Park Boulevard or Highway 13. We answer the phone 24 hours a day at (510) 824-8831.

Where do Piedmont criminal cases go to court?

Piedmont cases are heard at the Alameda County Superior Court in Downtown Oakland. Misdemeanors go to the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse at 661 Washington Street; felonies go to the René C. Davidson Courthouse at 1225 Fallon Street. Our attorneys appear at both regularly.

Who has police jurisdiction in Piedmont?

The Piedmont Police Department (PPD) is the primary law enforcement agency within Piedmont city limits. The Alameda County Sheriff’s Office handles unincorporated county areas and runs Santa Rita Jail. The California Highway Patrol handles freeway enforcement in the region.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Alameda County?

Fees depend on the charge, the complexity of the case, and how far it needs to be litigated. Most misdemeanor defenses at Morris Law start with a flat fee that covers pre-filing through resolution. Felony fees are quoted after a free case review. Payment plans are available. Call (510) 824-8831 for a specific quote.

How quickly can I meet with a lawyer after an arrest?

Same day, in most cases. If you or a family member has been booked at Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility in Downtown Oakland or Santa Rita Jail in Dublin, we can arrange a visit or a call within hours. Call (510) 824-8831 any time of day.

What happens at an arraignment?

At arraignment, the judge reads the charges, sets bail (or grants own-recognizance release), and asks how you plead. The hearing usually takes between 5 and 15 minutes. It is critical to have counsel present. Do not plead guilty at arraignment without consulting an attorney first — that plea will bind you.

Can my case be dismissed?

Yes, when the facts and law support dismissal. We file motions to suppress evidence under Penal Code 1538.5 (illegally obtained evidence), motions to dismiss under Penal Code 995 (insufficient evidence at preliminary hearing), and pre-filing letters that sometimes stop charges from being filed at all. Every case is evaluated for a dismissal path first.

Will I have to serve jail time?

Not automatically. Many cases resolve with probation, diversion (PC 1001.95 or PC 1001.36), a fine, community service, or dismissal. Even felony wobblers can often be reduced to misdemeanors under Penal Code 17(b). Jail is a possibility, not a certainty — and reducing that risk is the core of what a defense lawyer does.

What if I was arrested in Piedmont but live in another city?

The location of the arrest — not your home address — determines which court hears the case. If you were arrested in Piedmont, the case will proceed at the Alameda County courthouses in Downtown Oakland. We handle the case identically whether you live in Piedmont, Oakland, Berkeley, or anywhere in the Bay Area.

Can I clear a conviction from my record?

Yes, in most cases. Under Penal Code 1203.4, most misdemeanor and felony probation cases can be dismissed after successful completion of probation. Felony wobblers can first be reduced under PC 17(b) before dismissal. Recent California legislation also expanded automatic sealing for certain records — we check each case for every available option.

Get a free Piedmont criminal defense case review

Talk to a 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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Related pages for local defense

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