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 white collar crimes case. White Collar Crimes in California is governed by California Penal Code §§484–530 and Title 18 U.S.C. §§1341, 1343 (federal fraud). 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 white collar crimes under California law?

East Bay White Collar Crime Lawyer — Morris Law

White-collar crimes are non-violent, financially-motivated offenses. In California they include embezzlement (PC §503), identity theft (PC §530.5), forgery (PC §470), insurance fraud (PC §550), and money laundering (PC §186.10). Federally, they include mail fraud (18 U.S.C. §1341), wire fraud (18 U.S.C. §1343), and money laundering (18 U.S.C. §1956). These cases involve long investigations by the FBI, IRS-CI, SEC, or California DOJ, voluminous discovery, and parallel civil or administrative proceedings.

Penalties for white collar crimes in California

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

  • Embezzlement (PC §503): charged as petty or grand theft; up to 3 years state prison over $950
  • Identity theft (PC §530.5): wobbler up to 3 years state prison
  • Forgery (PC §470): wobbler up to 3 years state prison
  • Insurance fraud (PC §550): felony 2, 3, or 5 years state prison
  • Money laundering (PC §186.10): felony 16 months, 2, or 3 years
  • PC §186.11 white-collar enhancement: +1 to +5 years when felony involves $100,000+
  • Federal wire/mail fraud: up to 20 years per count; 30 years if financial institution
  • Federal tax evasion (26 U.S.C. §7201): up to 5 years per year of evasion

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 white collar crimes cases

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

  • Lack of intent to defraud — every white-collar charge requires specific intent. Mistakes and good-faith errors are not crimes.
  • Reliance on professionals — good-faith reliance on accountants, attorneys, or compliance officers is a defense.
  • No materiality — fraud requires a material misrepresentation.
  • Statute of limitations — 3–4 years state (PC §801, §801.5); 5 years federal (10 years if financial institution).
  • Pre-indictment intervention — target letters, subpoenas, and SEC/FTC inquiries often precede charges. Early counsel can secure declinations.
  • Forensic accounting — loss calculations, attribution, and netting issues are all litigable.
  • Cooperation and reverse proffers — strategic disclosure can lead to dismissals or substantial-assistance motions.
  • Restitution and global resolution — voluntary restitution and global civil/criminal deals can reduce or eliminate prison exposure.

What to do if you are arrested for white collar 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 white collar 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 white collar crimes 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 white collar crimes defense →

Berkeley Office

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

Berkeley white collar crimes defense →

How white collar crimes 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

White Collar Crimes defense in California — Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as white-collar crime in California?

There is no single statute. The term covers financially-motivated, non-violent offenses including embezzlement (PC §503), identity theft (PC §530.5), forgery (PC §470), insurance and workers’-comp fraud, mortgage fraud, securities fraud, money laundering (PC §186.10), tax evasion, and federal mail/wire fraud (18 U.S.C. §§1341, 1343).

What is California’s white-collar enhancement (PC §186.11)?

PC §186.11 adds 1 to 5 years onto any felony where the defendant takes more than $100,000 through a pattern of related fraudulent conduct. The enhancement scales by amount: $100K–$500K adds 1 year; $500K–$1M adds 2; $1M–$3M adds 3; $3M+ adds 4.

Should I respond to a federal grand-jury subpoena or target letter?

Never without counsel. A target letter means you are the focus of an investigation and may be indicted. Each response option — declining, proffering, or subject-level cooperation — has strategic implications. Call (510) 824-8831 before any response.

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 white collar 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.

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