Morris Law is an East Bay criminal defense firm serving Alameda County — Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Alameda, Piedmont, Albany, and surrounding communities. Call (510) 330-0814 for a free case review of your felony charges case. Felony Charges in California is governed by California Penal Code §17 (felony definition) and §1170 (sentencing structure). We have two East Bay offices — Oakland (2744 E 11th St · 510-824-8831) and Berkeley (2025 Rose St #200 · 510-350-3225) — and our attorneys appear in Alameda County Superior Court every week. Seth Morris spent years as a Deputy Public Defender in those exact courthouses.

What is felony charges under California law?

East Bay Felony Lawyer — Morris Law

A felony in California is any offense punishable by death, imprisonment in state prison, or imprisonment in county jail for more than one year (PC §17). Felonies are organized into determinate sentences (specific years) and indeterminate sentences (life with or without parole). Many are ‘wobblers’ — chargeable as felony or misdemeanor, and reducible to misdemeanor under PC §17(b). PC §1203.4 provides expungement after successful probation.

Penalties for felony charges in California

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

  • Determinate felonies: triad sentencing — low, middle, upper term (e.g., 16 months / 2 / 3 years, or 3/6/9)
  • Indeterminate life sentences: 15 to life, 25 to life, LWOP
  • Strike offenses (PC §1192.7, §667.5): first strike doubles future sentences; third strike = 25-to-life
  • Wobbler felonies (PC §17): reducible to misdemeanor at preliminary hearing (§17(b)(5)), sentencing (§17(b)(3)), or post-probation
  • Realignment felonies (PC §1170(h)): non-serious/non-violent serve time in county jail rather than state prison
  • PC §1203.4 expungement: most felonies dismissible after successful probation

Collateral consequences — professional licensing, immigration status, firearm rights, and future employment — often exceed the direct sentence. We assess collateral exposure at the start of every case.

How Morris Law defends felony charges cases

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

  • Pre-filing intervention — mitigation packets submitted before DA files can lead to non-filings or reduced charges.
  • PC §995 motion to dismiss — after preliminary hearing, dismiss for insufficient evidence.
  • PC §1538.5 suppression — Fourth Amendment violations lead to evidence exclusion.
  • Wobbler reduction (PC §17(b)) — reduces to misdemeanor, avoids prison, restores firearm rights where eligible.
  • Diversion programs — mental-health (PC §1001.36), military (PC §1001.80), primary-caregiver (PC §1001.83).
  • Romero motions — strike prior strikes under People v. Superior Court (Romero).
  • Mitigation at sentencing — California Rule of Court 4.423 factors — minor role, lack of harm, mental health, addiction, abuse history, age.
  • Expungement under PC §1203.4 — most felonies dismissible after successful probation.

What to do if you are arrested for felony charges in California

Wherever you were arrested — Oakland Police, Berkeley Police, CHP, BART Police, or a county Sheriff — take these steps immediately:

  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) 330-0814. Our firm-wide line answers 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 California residents choose Morris Law for felony 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.
  • Two East Bay offices. Oakland (2744 E 11th St · East Oakland) and Berkeley (2025 Rose St #200 · North Berkeley).
  • 24/7 phone access at (510) 330-0814.
  • Clear, plain-language updates. No 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.

Where we defend felony charges cases

Two East Bay offices, one firm. Cases across the Bay Area and California — including federal cases in the Northern District.

Oakland Office

2744 E 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601
(510) 824-8831

Oakland felony charges defense →

Berkeley Office

2025 Rose St #200, Berkeley, CA 94709
(510) 350-3225

Berkeley felony charges defense →

How felony charges cases move through California courts

Stage Where Timing
Arrest Oakland Police, Berkeley Police, CHP, Sheriff, or BART Police Day 0
Booking Glenn E. Dyer, Santa Rita Jail, or local PD Day 0–1
Arraignment Wiley W. Manuel (misdemeanors) or René C. Davidson (felonies) 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

Felony Charges defense in California — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a felony and misdemeanor in California?

A misdemeanor carries up to 1 year in county jail and a maximum $1,000 fine. A felony carries more than 1 year — state prison or, for non-serious/non-violent felonies, county jail under PC §1170(h) Realignment.

What is a wobbler in California criminal law?

A wobbler is an offense chargeable as felony or misdemeanor. Examples: assault with a deadly weapon (PC §245(a)(1)), grand theft (PC §487), many drug-sale charges. Reducible to misdemeanor under PC §17(b) at preliminary hearing, sentencing, or post-probation.

What is California’s Three Strikes Law?

Under PC §667(b)–(i) and §1170.12, a defendant convicted of any felony with one prior ‘strike’ (a serious or violent felony) faces a doubled sentence. A second strike requires the new offense be serious/violent and triggers 25-to-life. Prop 36 (2012) softened third-strike sentencing. Courts have Romero discretion to strike priors.

Where does Morris Law have offices?

Morris Law has two offices in the East Bay. The Oakland office is at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601 — (510) 824-8831. The Berkeley office is at 2025 Rose St #200, Berkeley, CA 94709 — (510) 350-3225. The firm-wide line is (510) 330-0814, available 24/7.

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 a California criminal defense lawyer?

Same day, in most cases. The firm-wide line is (510) 330-0814, answered 24 hours a day. If you or a family member has been booked at Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility, Santa Rita Jail, or Berkeley Police Department, we can arrange contact within hours from either office.

Get a free felony charges case review

Talk to a California criminal defense lawyer today. Call (510) 330-0814 — our firm-wide line, answered 24 hours a day. Or contact either office directly: Oakland at (510) 824-8831, Berkeley at (510) 350-3225.

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