René C. Davidson Courthouse Guide: Your Oakland Alameda County Arraignment

If you have a felony arraignment coming up in Alameda County, you’re going to the René C. Davidson Courthouse. It’s the primary East Bay felony court — home to every felony arraignment, preliminary hearing, and jury trial in Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Alameda, Piedmont, Albany, and most of Alameda County. This guide walks through what to expect: what happens at arraignment, how to prepare, what to bring, how to get there, and what the different court divisions do.

Morris Law is an East Bay criminal defense firm serving Alameda County. Seth Morris was a Deputy Public Defender in these exact courtrooms and represents clients at the René C. Davidson Courthouse regularly.

What Is the René C. Davidson Courthouse?

The René C. Davidson Courthouse is a 15-story Alameda County Superior Court facility at 1225 Fallon Street in downtown Oakland. It was named for civil rights attorney René C. Davidson, who spent his career defending marginalized clients in the East Bay. The building consolidates felony criminal proceedings for most of Alameda County, along with civil and family court divisions on other floors.

Address and hours

1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612
Regular hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Court proceedings begin at 9:00 AM in most departments.

Departments

Criminal departments occupy multiple floors. Your case will be assigned to a specific department (courtroom) — the department number appears on your notice to appear or your attorney’s calendaring information.

What Happens at a Felony Arraignment

Court call and check-in

Report to your assigned department by the start time on your notice. The department clerk will call cases. Your attorney should meet you outside the courtroom or in the department before court starts — many attorneys arrive by 8:30 to discuss cases with clients before the calendar opens.

The arraignment itself

At felony arraignment, the court will: (1) formally advise you of the charges, (2) inform you of your rights (counsel, jury trial, silence, confrontation), (3) enter a plea (typically “not guilty” at first appearance), (4) address bail or OR release, (5) set future court dates (usually a preliminary hearing setting in 30-60 days).

Typical time

Individual arraignments take 3-8 minutes on the record. But you may wait 30 minutes to 3 hours for your case to be called depending on calendar volume. Bring a book or a snack — no phones in most courtrooms.

Bail and custody decisions

The court considers Alameda County Pretrial Services’ recommendation, the DA’s position, and defense argument. Common outcomes: OR release for stable defendants with community ties, standard bail schedule amount, or enhanced bail for cases with serious priors or flight risk.

Preparing for Court

What to wear

Business casual or better. Avoid: shorts, tank tops, ripped clothing, hats indoors, clothing with offensive language or imagery. Judges are conservative on courtroom attire. Presenting well shapes bail decisions and judicial perception.

What to bring

• Photo ID — required for security
• Court notice or citation
• Any documents your attorney requested — proof of employment, community ties, treatment enrollment, letters of support
• A pen and paper for notes
• A book or magazine — waits are unpredictable

What NOT to bring

• Weapons of any kind — obvious but includes pocket knives
• Food or drink — usually not allowed in courtrooms
• Recording devices — cameras and audio recorders are prohibited
• Anything that will draw negative judicial attention — offensive shirts, gang colors, etc.

Phones and security

Cell phones are technically allowed but must be silenced. Some departments prohibit phones in the courtroom entirely. Security screening on entry is airport-style — metal detectors, X-ray for bags. Allow 15-20 minutes to clear security on busy mornings.

Related Facilities in the Alameda County System

Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse

661 Washington Street, Oakland
Handles all misdemeanor criminal cases in Alameda County. Wiley Manuel is a shorter walk (2 blocks) from the Oakland City Center BART station. If your case is a misdemeanor, you’re going to Wiley Manuel — not René C. Davidson.

Hayward Hall of Justice

24405 Amador Street, Hayward
Handles some cases originating in South County (Fremont, Newark, Union City, Hayward). Felony cases from these jurisdictions may be transferred to René C. Davidson for pretrial proceedings.

Berkeley Courthouse

2120 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Berkeley
Handles some traffic and infraction matters. Most Berkeley criminal cases go to Wiley Manuel (misdemeanor) or René C. Davidson (felony), not the Berkeley Courthouse.

Santa Rita Jail

5325 Broder Blvd, Dublin
The Alameda County Sheriff’s main custody facility. Most felony defendants held pretrial are held here. Custody transport to René C. Davidson for court dates is coordinated by the Sheriff’s Office.

Alameda County District Attorney’s Office

1225 Fallon Street, Oakland
Located in the same building as the courthouse. Deputy DAs assigned to cases work here. The Vehicular Crimes Unit, Sex Crimes Unit, Gang Prosecution Unit, and Economic Crimes Unit are all specialty divisions within the office.

Getting There and Parking

BART

The 12th Street/Oakland City Center BART station is the closest at 3 blocks away. Exit at 14th Street and walk east on 14th, then south on Fallon Street. Total walk: 6-8 minutes. This is by far the easiest way to get to court.

Driving

Access I-880 to the Broadway exit, or I-980 to the 14th Street exit. Downtown Oakland traffic is heavy during morning commute — allow 20-30 minutes extra during rush hour.

Parking

Metered street parking is limited and heavily enforced. Paid parking lots on Oak Street and Broadway typically run $15-$30 per day. The Kaiser Center parking garage (on Kaiser Plaza) is a common choice — validate for reduced rates if you have a business appointment nearby.

Public transit alternatives

AC Transit bus routes serving the courthouse: 6, 12, 40, 51A, 72, 88. All stop within 2-3 blocks.

Specialty-Court Divisions at René C. Davidson

Drug Court

Handles diversion-eligible drug cases under PC 1000. Provides intensive judicial supervision of treatment participation. Successful completion results in dismissal.

Mental Health Court

Handles PC 1001.36 mental health diversion cases. Judges have specialized training in mental health case management. Successful completion (up to 2 years of treatment) results in dismissal.

Veterans Treatment Court

Handles PC 1001.80 military diversion cases. Coordinates with VA mental health services. Successful completion results in dismissal.

Homicide Court

Dedicated department for murder and other homicide cases. Handles pretrial motions, complex evidentiary issues, and lengthy jury trials.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the René C. Davidson Courthouse?

The René C. Davidson Courthouse is at 1225 Fallon Street in downtown Oakland, California. It’s the primary felony courthouse for Alameda County Superior Court, handling felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, and jury trials.

What time does court start?

Court proceedings typically begin at 9:00 AM Monday through Friday. Arrive by 8:30 AM to clear security screening and find your department. Individual calendars vary — check your notice to appear for exact department and time.

What’s the difference between René C. Davidson and Wiley Manuel Courthouse?

The René C. Davidson Courthouse handles all felony criminal cases in Alameda County. Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (661 Washington Street) handles all misdemeanor criminal cases. Which courthouse you go to depends on whether your case is charged as a felony or misdemeanor.

Can I bring my phone into the courthouse?

Yes, phones are allowed after security screening, but they must be silenced or turned off in courtrooms. Recording (audio or video) is prohibited. Some departments have stricter policies — check with your attorney before your court date.

How long does a felony arraignment take?

The arraignment itself takes 3-8 minutes on the record. Wait time before your case is called varies from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on calendar volume. Monday mornings and post-holiday sessions are typically the busiest.

Do I need a lawyer at arraignment?

Yes. At felony arraignment, the court will offer to appoint the Alameda County Public Defender if you qualify financially. If you plan to hire private counsel, request a continuance to arrange representation — this is typically granted. Appearing without counsel at a felony arraignment almost always makes cases worse.

How do I get to the courthouse via BART?

The 12th Street/Oakland City Center BART station is 3 blocks from the courthouse. Exit at 14th Street, walk east on 14th to Fallon Street, then south to 1225 Fallon. Total walk: 6-8 minutes. Total travel time from most East Bay BART stations: 15-40 minutes.

Where can I park near the courthouse?

Metered street parking is limited. Paid parking options include the Kaiser Center parking garage, lots on Oak Street and Broadway, and the Oakland City Center West garage. Expect $15-$30 per day for close parking.

Talk to an East Bay Criminal Defense Attorney

Morris Law’s East Bay offices — Oakland (2744 E 11th Street · (510) 824-8831) and Berkeley (2025 Rose Street, Suite 200 · (510) 225-9955) — handle Alameda County felony cases at the René C. Davidson Courthouse. Call (510) 330-0814 for a free 24/7 consultation.

Related East Bay Resources

• Arrested for the First Time — What to Do
• Alameda County Diversion Programs
• East Bay Felony Defense
• How Long Does a Felony Stay on Your Record?