Alameda County Superior Court
Criminal Court Self Help

Criminal Court is the court where the state holds people accountable for violations of criminal law. Only the State, through the office of the District Attorney in each county, can charge individuals with criminal violations. For information about how criminal cases go through the system, see the Overview of the California Court System.

What you can learn here:

• You can learn about different types of criminal violations
• How arrest warrants work
• How to post and get back bail/bond
• How to get copies of criminal court records
• How to get protective/restraining orders
• How to pay fines
• Participate in Drug Court
• Appeal a conviction.

What you can do here:

• You can get resource and referral information
• Find links to court rules and forms that you may need for your case.

What you cannot do here:

• You cannot post bond
• Pay fines
• File documents through this website.

1. Locations/Phone Numbers/Hours/Directions
   

   The following Superior Court Facilities process Criminal Cases:

   René C. Davidson Courthouse
   Address	1225 Fallon Street, Room 107 Oakland, CA 94612
   Jurisdiction	Northern Part of County
   Telephone Number	(510) 272-6767
   Business Hours	Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
   Case Types	This Courthouse is assigned felony cases, after the PX hearing or Certification by a Magistrate.
   Add-On Calendar Information	N/A
   Click here for directions

   
   

   Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse
   Address	661 Washington Street, Second Floor Oakland, CA 94607
   Jurisdiction	Albany, Berkeley, Oakland, Piedmont, Emeryville
   Telephone Number	(510) 268-4222
   Business Hours	Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
   Case Types	This Courthouse is assigned misdemeanor cases that occurred in the cities of Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland and Piedmont. In addition felony cases from throughout the county concerning Welfare Fraud and Health and Safety Code Sections 1350, 11357, 11377, are assigned.
   Add-On Calendar Information	If your court date has passed and you failed to appear you may request to have the matter re-added, though not all cases may qualify. Please call the clerk at (510) 268-7700 to see if your case can be re-added. If eligible to have the matter re-added to calendar, you or the attorney of record must appear in person at the Criminal Division counter and sign a request form. You will be given the date, time and department in which to appear. NOTE: IF A BENCH WARRANT WAS ISSUED, IT WILL REMAIN OUTSTANDING UNTIL YOU GO TO COURT.
   Click here for directions

   
   

   Hayward Hall of Justice
   Address	24405 Amador Street, Room 104 Hayward, CA 94544
   Jurisdiction	Hayward, San Leandro, San Lorenzo
   Telephone Number	(510) 670-5640
   Business Hours	Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
   Case Types	This Courthouse is assigned misdemeanor cases that occurred in the cities of Hayward, San Leandro, and San Lorenzo and adjacent unincorporated areas. In addition, it handles felony cases for the southern and eastern area of the County, including Dublin, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Union City, and adjacent unincorporated areas.
   Add-On Calendar Information	Limited Jurisdiction case - You must appear at the Criminal Division, Room 104 between 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM on the day you wish to appear. Your case will be added on the end of that morning’s calendar. Unlimited or General Jurisdiction - Cases may only be added to calendar by an attorney or probation officer, at least two days prior to appearance. NOTE: IF A BENCH WARRANT WAS ISSUED, IT WILL REMAIN OUTSTANDING UNTIL YOU GO TO COURT.
   Click here for directions

   
   

   George E. McDonald Hall of Justice
   Address	2233 Shoreline Drive, Room 103 Alameda, Ca 94501
   Jurisdiction	Alameda
   Telephone Number	(510) 268-7483
   Business Hours	Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
   Case Types	This Courthouse is assigned all misdemeanors and felony (up through the PX hearing) cases which occurred in the city of Alameda.
   Add-On Calendar Information	You or the attorney of record must appear in person at the Criminal Division counter, Room 103, and request to be added to the calendar. You can be added to the calendar at 9:00 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and on Friday on the same day you appear. NOTE: IF A BENCH WARRANT WAS ISSUED, IT WILL REMAIN OUTSTANDING UNTIL YOU GO TO COURT.
   Click here for directions

   
   

   Gale-Schenone Hall of Justice
   Address	5672 Stoneridge Drive Pleasanton, Ca 94588
   Jurisdiction	Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin
   Telephone Number	(925) 803-7995
   Business Hours	Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 pm
   Case Types	This Courthouse is assigned all misdemeanor and felony (up through PX hearing) cases that occurred in the cities of Dublin, Livermore, Pleasanton, and adjacent unincorporated areas.
   Add-On Calendar Information	You or your attorney of record must appear in person at the Criminal Division window before 9:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. and request to be added to the calendar in the appropriate department. NOTE: IF A BENCH WARRANT WAS ISSUED, IT WILL REMAIN OUTSTANDING UNTIL YOU GO TO COURT. If the request to add a case on calendar is made after 9:30 a.m. or 2:30 p.m., there is a possibility that your case will not be added on that same day. The office will have to check with the courtroom for their availability.If you are represented by the Public Defender, you must go to their office to request that your case be added on or advanced.
   Click here for directions

   
   

   Fremont Hall of Justice
   Address	39439 Paseo Padre Parkway Fremont, Ca 94538
   Jurisdiction	Fremont, Newark, Union City
   Telephone Number	(510) 795-2300
   Business Hours	Monday through Friday 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
   Case Types	This Courthouse is assigned all misdemeanors and felony (up through the PX hearing) cases which occurred in the cities of Fremont, Newark, and Union City.
   Add-On Calendar Information	Only two cases daily of this type may be added to the court calendar for each department. You must be at the Criminal Division window of the Clerk's Office by 8:30 AM to make this request. Persons not appearing at 8:30 AM may not be added to the court calendar. Add on requests are at the discretion of the Judge or Commissioner in each department and may not always be available due to that day's caseload. Attorneys may request cases to be added to the court calendar by completing and submitting the appropriate form available in the courtrooms.
   Click here for directions




2. Accommodations:
   

   Effective Communication With Persons With Disabilities
   
   Policy: In accordance with California Rule of Court 989.3 and the Americans with Disabilities Act it is the policy of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda, to assure that qualified individuals with disabilities have equal and full access to the judicial system.
   
   To ensure effective communication, applicants, participants and members of the public with disabilities may make requests to the Courts. Court Administration and designated staff will furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and/or services including providing document(s) in an alternate format when necessary.
   
   The Court, however, is not required to make any modifications nor take any action that would fundamentally alter the service, activity or program, or result in undue financial and administrative burdens.
   
   Process for requesting accommodations: Applicants may request accommodations in writing, by telephone or in person at the Superior Court Facility and Division where the accommodation is required. If a court date is scheduled, the request should be made no less than five court days prior to the requested implementation date. The Court may, in its discretion, waive this requirement.
   
    

3. Appearance Information:
   

   Misdemeanors, felonies and warrants require a court appearance. Pre-scheduled court appearances are listed on the calendars posted outside of the courtroom. If your name is not
   listed on the calendar, report to the Clerk’s Office for additional information. Present the clerk with any paperwork you have that relates to your case.
   
   For courtroom appearances, the following rules are enforced:
   
    

   1. Shirt and shoes are required in the courtroom.
      
   2. Tank tops, shorts, beachwear, T-shirts or hats are NOT allowed in the courtroom.
      
   3. Food, drinks, and gum chewing are NOT allowed in the courtroom.
      
   4. Weapons are NOT allowed in the courthouse.
      
   5. Pagers and cell phones must be turned off.
   
    
4. What is a Criminal Case?
   

   Criminal cases range from relatively minor offenses such as traffic infractions to serious ones like robbery and murder. The State as the protector of all the people makes the charge against someone accused of committing a crime because a crime is considered an act against society. The prosecuting attorney presents the charge against the accused person (defendant) on behalf of the State (plaintiff), and must prove to the judge or jury that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
   
   A felony is a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment in a state prison or by death.
   
   A misdemeanor is a lesser offense than a felony and generally is punishable by fine or imprisonment in county jail rather than in a state penitentiary.