Morris Law is a Temescal criminal defense law firm. Call (510) 824-8831 for a free case review. Our office is at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland, CA 94601 — about 6 miles north of our office at 2744 E 11th St. Our attorneys are in the Wiley W. Manuel and René C. Davidson courthouses in Downtown Oakland every week, because that is where Temescal cases go.

Charges we defend in Temescal

Temescal criminal defense — Morris Law

Below are the charges we handle most often for Temescal residents. Click any charge to see how we defend it.

Which courthouse handles Temescal criminal cases?

All Temescal criminal cases go to Alameda County Superior Court in Downtown Oakland. The Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse handles misdemeanor arraignments, traffic, small-claims, and preliminary matters. The René C. Davidson Courthouse handles felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, jury trials, sentencing. Our attorneys appear at both courthouses 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 (2 blocks away)

René C. Davidson Courthouse (felonies)

Address: 1225 Fallon St, Oakland, CA 94612
What routes here: felony arraignments, preliminary hearings, jury trials, sentencing
Nearest BART: Lake Merritt BART (3 blocks away)

Juvenile cases (if the person charged is under 18)

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

What to expect on your first date: an arraignment hearing where the judge reads the charges, sets bail, and asks how you plead. The whole hearing usually takes 5–15 minutes. Have a lawyer with you.

What to do if you are arrested in Temescal

Stay calm and say as little as possible. In Temescal, most arrests are made by the Oakland Police Department (OPD). Here is what to do:

  1. Ask for a lawyer, then stop talking. Anything you say to police can be used against you.
  2. Do not consent to a search. Officers need a warrant, probable cause, or your consent. Refuse politely.
  3. Call Morris Law. Our number is (510) 824-8831. We answer 24 hours.
  4. Take a photo of any injuries. Same for property damage, torn clothing, or damaged doors.
  5. Do not post about the arrest. Prosecutors read social media. So do bail commissioners.
  6. Write down what happened. Names of officers, badge numbers, times, and witnesses.

If someone you love was arrested in Temescal, call us before they answer any police questions. Every hour matters.

Why people in Temescal call Morris Law

Morris Law was founded by Seth Morris, a former Alameda County Deputy Public Defender who spent years in the exact courthouses where Temescal cases go. Here is what we bring to every case:

  • Seth Morris was a Deputy Public Defender in Alameda County. He defended clients in Wiley W. Manuel and René C. Davidson every week — the same courthouses where your Temescal case will go.
  • More than 25 jury trials, including life-in-prison cases. When a case has to go to trial, we know how to try it.
  • Federal recognition on police body cameras. President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing invited Seth Morris to help build the national Body Camera Toolkit for police, DA, and public defender offices.
  • Published in the Washington Post, Vanity Fair, and Salon. Interviewed on MSNBC’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell, NBC Bay Area, and KQED.
  • A real office in East Oakland. Our office at 2744 E 11th St is about 6 miles north of our office at 2744 E 11th St. Faster meetings, faster response.
  • 24/7 phone access. Arrests do not happen on business hours. Neither do we.
  • Plain-English updates. You will know what is happening at every step. No jargon. No missed calls.

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 in Temescal

Here is a quick comparison for Temescal cases:

Step Misdemeanor Felony
Where the case is filed Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse René C. Davidson Courthouse
Arraignment Within 48 hours of arrest Within 48 hours of arrest
Preliminary hearing Not required Required within 10 court days if in custody
Maximum jail or prison Up to 1 year in county jail More than 1 year, often state prison
Right to a jury trial Yes Yes
Diversion options PC 1001.95 judicial diversion for most PC 1001.36 mental health, PC 1000 drug cases
Record impact Expungement under PC 1203.4 Wobbler reduction (PC 17(b)) then expungement

Temescal criminal defense FAQ

Do you handle criminal cases in Temescal?

Yes. Morris Law handles criminal cases in Temescal and across Oakland. Our office is at 2744 E 11th St, about 6 miles north of our office at 2744 E 11th St. We answer the phone 24 hours a day at (510) 824-8831.

Where do Temescal criminal cases go to court?

Temescal cases go to Alameda County Superior Court in Downtown Oakland. Misdemeanors are heard at the Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse (661 Washington St). Felonies are heard at the René C. Davidson Courthouse (1225 Fallon St). Our attorneys are in both courthouses every week.

Which police handle arrests in Temescal?

The Oakland Police Department (OPD) handles most arrests in Temescal. In some cases BART Police, CHP, or the Alameda County Sheriff may also make arrests. The agency changes the discovery you can request, but not the constitutional rules that protect you.

How much does a criminal defense lawyer cost in Oakland?

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

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

Same day, in most cases. If you or a loved one was booked at Santa Rita Jail or Glenn E. Dyer Detention Facility, we can visit or arrange a call within hours. Call (510) 824-8831 24 hours a day.

What happens at an arraignment?

At an arraignment the judge reads the charges, sets bail, and asks how you plead. The hearing usually takes 5 to 15 minutes. You should have a lawyer with you. Do not plead guilty at arraignment without talking to counsel first.

Can my case be dismissed?

Yes, when the facts support it. We file motions to suppress evidence (Penal Code 1538.5), motions to dismiss for insufficient evidence (Penal Code 995), and pre-filing letters that sometimes stop charges from being filed at all. We look for the dismissal path in every case.

Will I have to go to jail?

Not always. Many cases end with probation, diversion (PC 1001.95 or PC 1001.36), a fine, community service, or dismissal. Even most felony wobblers can be reduced to misdemeanors under PC 17(b). Jail is a possibility, not a certainty.

What if the arrest happened in Temescal but I live somewhere else?

Location of the arrest — not your address — decides which court hears the case. If you were arrested in Temescal, the case goes to the Alameda County courthouses in Downtown Oakland. We handle it the same way whether you live in Temescal, Berkeley, or anywhere in the Bay Area.

Can I clear a conviction from my record?

Yes, in most cases. Under Penal Code 1203.4 we can petition to dismiss most misdemeanor and felony probation cases after successful probation. Wobbler felonies can first be reduced under PC 17(b). Some records also qualify for automatic sealing under recent California law.

Get a free case review for your Temescal case

Talk to a Temescal criminal defense lawyer today. Call (510) 824-8831 or fill out our online form. Free case review. 24-hour phone. Office at 2744 E 11th St, Oakland.

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