East Bay Sex Crime Lawyer

Morris Law is an East Bay criminal defense firm serving Alameda County — Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Alameda, Piedmont, Albany, and surrounding communities. Call (510) 824-8831 for a free case review of your sex crimes case. Sex Crimes in California is governed by California Penal Code §§261, 243.4, 288, 290. 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 sex crimes under California law?

California sex crimes are prosecuted under multiple Penal Code sections. The most serious include rape (PC §261), lewd acts on a minor (PC §288), child pornography (PC §311.11), and sexual battery (PC §243.4). Most carry mandatory sex offender registration under PC §290, now tiered under SB 384 (2021) into 10-year, 20-year, or lifetime tiers. Many are strike offenses under PC §667.5. Federal prosecution under 18 U.S.C. §2252 is common for internet-based cases.

Penalties for sex crimes in California

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

• Rape (PC §261): 3, 6, or 8 years state prison; lifetime Tier 3 registration; strike
• Sexual battery (PC §243.4): wobbler up to 4 years state prison; Tier 1 or 2 registration
• Statutory rape (PC §261.5): wobbler up to 4 years state prison; registration may apply
• Lewd acts on minor under 14 (PC §288(a)): 3, 6, or 8 years state prison; lifetime Tier 3 registration; strike
• Child pornography (PC §311.11): wobbler up to 3 years state prison; federal 18 U.S.C. §2252 = 5-year mandatory minimum
• Indecent exposure (PC §314): misdemeanor 6 months to 1 year; wobbler with prior; Tier 1 registration
• One-strike enhancement (PC §667.61): 15 or 25 years to life for enumerated sex crimes

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 sex crimes cases

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

• Consent (adult cases) — prior contacts, communications, and inconsistent accuser statements challenge the prosecution’s version.
• False accusation — custody battles, breakups, and revenge motives require thorough investigation.
• Mistaken identity — DNA testing, alibi witnesses, surveillance footage.
• Mistake of age — reasonable belief the alleged victim was an adult, supported by fake ID or representations.
• Miranda violations — statements taken without warnings, or after invocation of counsel, are suppressed.
• Search-warrant challenges in computer cases — defective warrants and overbroad searches can lead to suppression.
• Forensic interview challenges — child witness interviews must follow CALICO/RATAC protocols.
• SB 384 tier reduction — petition to reduce registration tier after registration period ends.

What to do if you are arrested for sex crimes 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) 824-8831. 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 sex crimes 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) 824-8831.
• 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 sex crimes cases

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

How sex crimes cases move through California courts

Sex Crimes defense in California — Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to register as a sex offender in California?

SB 384 (2021) established three tiers. Tier 1 (lower-level offenses) is 10 years. Tier 2 (mid-level felonies) is 20 years. Tier 3 (most serious — rape, lewd acts on a child, repeat offenders) is lifetime. Tier reduction petitions are available after the period ends.

Can an California sex crime case be filed without physical evidence?

Yes. California allows convictions based solely on the alleged victim’s testimony (CALCRIM 301) if the jury finds it credible. Credibility, corroboration, and motive-to-fabricate become central to the defense — particularly in he-said/she-said cases.

Should I talk to the police if I am accused of a sex crime in California?

No. Do not give any statement, take any test, or consent to any search without an attorney. Detectives are trained in pretext-call techniques where the alleged victim records a call to elicit incriminating statements. Invoke your right to counsel immediately.

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) 824-8831, 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) 824-8831, 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 sex crimes case review

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

Schedule Your Free Consultation

Related pages

• Oakland sex crimes defense — Oakland office overview
• Berkeley sex crimes defense — Berkeley office overview
• Morris Law Oakland office
• Morris Law Berkeley office
• All California criminal defense practice areas
• Contact our Oakland office
• Contact our Berkeley office

Official government resources

• Alameda County Superior Court — official website
• California Legislative Information — full statute text
• Oakland Police Department — official website
• Berkeley Police Department — official website