If you have a criminal case in Alameda County, the first thing to know is that Alameda County Superior Court is not a single courthouse.
Criminal matters are currently handled at four primary courthouse locations in Oakland, Dublin, and Fremont.
Before your court date, confirm:
- Which courthouse you need to attend
- Your department number
- Your hearing date and time
- Whether you must appear in person
- How you will get there
- Where you will park
- What you can bring through courthouse security
- What type of hearing is scheduled
Going to the wrong courthouse—or assuming that your hearing will occur where a previous appearance took place—can create serious problems.
Below, the criminal defense attorneys at The Nieves Law Firm explain what to expect when appearing in Alameda County Superior Court for a criminal case.
If you are facing charges locally, you can also learn more about working with an Alameda County criminal defense lawyer.
Which Alameda County Courthouses Handle Criminal Cases?
Alameda County Superior Court currently identifies four courthouse locations that handle criminal matters:
- Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland
- René C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland
- East County Hall of Justice in Dublin
- Fremont Hall of Justice
Your court documents and the court’s current calendar should tell you where your particular case is being heard.
Court assignments and calendars can change, so check your most recent paperwork rather than relying on where you previously appeared or what an internet search initially shows.
| Courthouse | Address | Building hours, Monday–Friday |
| Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse | 661 Washington Street, Oakland, CA 94607 | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
| René C. Davidson Courthouse | 1225 Fallon Street, Oakland, CA 94612 | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| East County Hall of Justice | 5151 Gleason Drive, Dublin, CA 94568 | 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
| Fremont Hall of Justice | 39439 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA 94538 | 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. |
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These are building hours, not hearing times or Criminal Division counter hours. Follow your scheduled hearing time and confirm your assigned courthouse and current hours before traveling.
Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse in Oakland
The Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse is located at:
661 Washington Street
Oakland, CA 94607
The courthouse contains Departments 101 through 115 and currently handles criminal cases as well as several other types of matters.
For defendants whose cases are being heard in Oakland, our Oakland criminal defense lawyers regularly handle criminal matters in Alameda County courts.
Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse Hours
The court currently lists building hours as:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Criminal clerk-counter hours are more limited than general building hours. If you need to conduct business with the clerk rather than simply attend a scheduled hearing, confirm the current Criminal Division service hours before going.
Parking at Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse
The court identifies parking options near the courthouse, including a garage in the surrounding area. Limited metered street parking may also be available.
Give yourself extra time to park, particularly during busy morning calendars.
Public Transportation
BART and AC Transit provide public transportation options into downtown Oakland.
If you plan to use public transportation, check current routes and schedules before your appearance.
René C. Davidson Courthouse in Oakland
The René C. Davidson Courthouse is located at:
1225 Fallon Street
Oakland, CA 94612
The courthouse contains Departments 1 through 13, as well as Departments 1A, 1B, and 1C.
Criminal cases are among the matters currently handled at this location.
René C. Davidson Courthouse Hours
The court currently lists building hours as:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Criminal Division service hours may be shorter than the building’s overall hours.
Parking at René C. Davidson Courthouse
Parking near the courthouse can require additional planning.
Paid parking options are available in the surrounding downtown Oakland area, but availability and pricing can vary.
If you are driving, leave enough time to park and walk to the courthouse before your scheduled appearance.
Public Transportation
The Lake Merritt BART station is within walking distance of the courthouse.
Public transportation can sometimes be easier than trying to find parking near the courthouse during a busy criminal calendar.
East County Hall of Justice in Dublin
The East County Hall of Justice is located at:
5151 Gleason Drive
Dublin, CA 94568
Departments 701 through 713 are located there. The courthouse currently handles criminal and traffic matters.
East County Hall of Justice Hours
The court currently lists building hours as:
Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Criminal Division counter hours may differ, particularly on Fridays, so confirm current service hours if you need assistance from the clerk.
Parking
Free parking is currently available in the lot next to the courthouse.
Public Transportation
The nearest BART station is Dublin/Pleasanton.
Local bus service connects the BART station with the courthouse.
Fremont Hall of Justice
The Fremont Hall of Justice is located at:
39439 Paseo Padre Parkway
Fremont, CA 94538
The courthouse contains Departments 601 through 608 and currently handles criminal and traffic matters.
Fremont Hall of Justice Hours
The court currently lists building hours as:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Criminal Division counter hours are more limited than the full building hours, so check before traveling to the courthouse solely to conduct clerk’s-office business.
Parking
Free parking is currently available in the lot next to the courthouse.
Public Transportation
The Fremont BART station is approximately 0.6 miles from the courthouse, and local bus service is also available.
Do All Alameda County Courthouses Handle Criminal Cases?
No.
Alameda County Superior Court operates multiple courthouse locations serving different case types, but its Criminal Division currently identifies four primary locations for criminal matters:
- Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse
- René C. Davidson Courthouse
- East County Hall of Justice
- Fremont Hall of Justice
Other Alameda County court locations may handle civil cases, family law, probate, juvenile proceedings, traffic matters, or other specialized calendars.
Juvenile matters, for example, may be handled separately from adult criminal proceedings.
Because court assignments can change, your current court paperwork and the court’s current calendar should be your primary sources for determining where you need to appear.
How Do I Find Out Which Alameda County Courthouse My Case Is In?
Start with your most recent court documents.
Your paperwork may identify:
- Your case number
- Hearing date
- Hearing time
- Courthouse
- Department
- Type of hearing
Alameda County Superior Court also provides online access to criminal case information and hearing information through its criminal-record systems, including the Odyssey Portal.
Double-Check Before You Leave
Court calendar information is subject to change.
Check your most recent paperwork and, when appropriate, confirm the current calendar before traveling to court.
Going to the wrong courthouse can cause you to arrive late or miss a required appearance.
Missing a required criminal-court appearance can result in a bench warrant and possible bail or bond consequences. However, some misdemeanor proceedings allow an attorney to appear on the defendant’s behalf under Penal Code § 977, subject to statutory exceptions and court orders. Confirm with your attorney whether you must attend personally, may appear remotely, or may have counsel appear for you.
Can You Appear Remotely in an Alameda County Criminal Case?
Sometimes.
Alameda County Superior Court states that remote appearances are allowed in some criminal cases.
That does not mean every criminal hearing can be handled remotely.
If you believe you may be eligible to appear remotely, check with your assigned department or your attorney before the hearing.
Do not assume that you can attend by video simply because a remote option was available at a previous hearing.
If your paperwork requires an in-person appearance, follow that instruction unless the court authorizes something different.
What Should You Bring to Alameda County Superior Court?
What you need will depend on the type of hearing and your case.
Items that may be useful or required include:
- Proper photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport
- A copy of your citation, if applicable
- Your notice of hearing or other court paperwork
- Bail or bond paperwork, when applicable
- Jail release paperwork, when applicable
- Sentencing or probation orders, if relevant to the hearing
- Any documents your attorney has specifically asked you to bring
Bring Your Court Paperwork
Even if your case information is available electronically, bringing your paperwork makes it easier to confirm:
- Case number
- Department
- Hearing time
- Courthouse
- Type of proceeding
If you have an attorney, ask whether there is anything additional you should bring.
Bring Photo Identification
Bring government-issued photo identification when possible and keep it somewhere easily accessible.
You may need identification when dealing with court staff or conducting business at the clerk’s office.
What Should You Not Bring to Alameda County Superior Court?
Everyone entering an Alameda County courthouse should expect security screening.
Visitors may have to pass through metal-detection and weapons-screening procedures before entering.
Do not bring weapons or prohibited items into the courthouse.
Restricted items can include:
- Firearms
- Ammunition
- Knives
- Pepper spray
- Stun guns
- Certain tools
- Other objects prohibited by courthouse security
Because courthouse-security policies can change and may cover objects that are not obvious weapons, check current courthouse guidance before your appearance if you are unsure about an item.
Leaving unnecessary items at home can make the security process easier.
What Should You Wear to Alameda County Superior Court?
You do not need an expensive suit to appear in court.
A useful rule is to dress as you would for a professional business meeting.
For someone facing criminal charges, the goal should generally be to appear respectful and appropriate for a formal legal proceeding.
Avoid clothing with:
- Offensive language
- Inappropriate images
- Distracting slogans
- Clothing or accessories that could create unnecessary security concerns
Shirts and shoes should be worn in the courtroom.
What Happens When You Arrive at Alameda County Superior Court?
A typical criminal-court visit may look something like this.
Step 1: Arrive Early
Give yourself more time than you think you will need.
You may need time to:
- Find parking
- Walk from BART or a bus stop
- Wait in a security line
- Find the correct courtroom
- Locate your attorney
- Confirm your department
- Wait for the courtroom to open
Arriving at the courthouse at the exact time printed on your paperwork leaves little room for an unexpected delay. As a practical guideline, aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled hearing, or earlier if your attorney instructs you to. Allow additional time for unfamiliar parking, public transportation, and security lines.
Step 2: Go Through Security
Expect security screening before entering the courthouse.
Follow the instructions given by security staff and do not bring prohibited items.
Step 3: Find the Correct Department
Once inside, locate the department identified on your paperwork or current court calendar.
Simply being inside the correct courthouse is not enough.
Each building contains multiple courtrooms, departments, and calendars.
Step 4: Find Your Attorney and Follow Check-In Instructions
If you are represented by an attorney, connect with your lawyer before your case is called when possible.
Otherwise, follow any posted check-in instructions or directions from the bailiff, courtroom clerk, or other court staff.
Different departments may use different check-in procedures.
Step 5: Turn Off Your Phone
Follow the electronic-device rules posted in your courthouse and courtroom.
Alameda County Superior Court restricts photography and recording in court facilities and courtrooms. Recording a court proceeding is generally prohibited unless authorized under applicable court rules.
Do not photograph, livestream, or record a proceeding simply because you have your phone with you.
Step 6: Wait for Your Case to Be Called
Your scheduled hearing time does not necessarily mean your case will be heard at that exact minute.
Criminal departments may have many matters on the same calendar.
Some cases can be addressed relatively quickly. Others may involve longer hearings, conferences, negotiations, or arguments.
Plan for the possibility that you may spend a significant amount of time at court.
What Happens at an Arraignment in Alameda County?
An arraignment is generally one of the first formal court proceedings after criminal charges are filed.
It is an important stage because the defendant learns what charges have been filed and what happens next in the case.
For a broader look at local representation, see our Alameda County criminal defense resource.
You Are Informed of the Charges
At an arraignment, the defendant is informed of the charges.
The defendant is also advised of important constitutional rights.
Those rights can include:
- The right to an attorney
- The right to remain silent
- The right to a speedy trial
- The right to a jury trial
- The right to confront and cross-examine witnesses
- The right to compel witnesses to appear
If the defendant cannot afford an attorney and qualifies for appointed counsel, the court can appoint an attorney, typically a public defender.
A Plea Is Entered
The defendant is asked to enter a plea.
Common pleas include:
- Not guilty
- Guilty
- No contest
A defendant should understand the legal consequences before pleading guilty or no contest.
A criminal conviction can have consequences that extend beyond jail, probation, or fines.
Depending on the offense and the defendant’s circumstances, consequences may affect:
- Immigration status
- Employment
- Professional licensing
- Firearm rights
- Housing
- Future criminal proceedings
For that reason, California Courts recommends that defendants speak with an attorney before entering a guilty or no-contest plea.
The Judge May Address Bail or Release Conditions
An arraignment may also involve decisions about whether the defendant will remain in custody or be released while the case is pending.
Depending on the case, the judge may consider:
- Release on the defendant’s own recognizance
- Pretrial supervision
- Bail
- Conditions of release
- Protective orders
- Whether continued detention is appropriate under applicable law
These decisions depend heavily on the particular charges, the defendant’s circumstances, and public-safety considerations.
The Court May Issue a Criminal Protective Order
In some cases, particularly cases involving alleged violence, domestic violence, threats, or particular victims or witnesses, the court may issue a criminal protective order.
The order may restrict contact between the defendant and another person or impose other conditions while the criminal case is pending.
A defendant should carefully follow any protective order issued by the court.
Violating a court order can create additional legal problems.
The Court Sets Future Dates
If the defendant pleads not guilty, the case generally continues.
What happens next depends in part on whether the case involves misdemeanor or felony charges.
A misdemeanor case may proceed to additional pretrial hearings and eventually trial if the case is not resolved.
A felony case generally includes a preliminary-hearing stage unless the case is resolved or the hearing is otherwise waived or not required.
California criminal cases are subject to procedural deadlines, including speedy-trial and preliminary-hearing requirements. Decisions about waiving those time limits can affect how quickly the case moves, so a defendant should discuss those decisions with counsel.
What Happens After an Arraignment?
An arraignment is usually only the beginning of the criminal-court process.
Depending on the type of case, the next stages may include:
Discovery
The prosecution provides discoverable evidence to the defense.
This may include:
- Police reports
- Body-camera footage
- Photographs
- Witness statements
- Laboratory reports
- Surveillance footage
- Other evidence related to the case
The defense can review that evidence and investigate whether additional information should be obtained.
Pretrial Hearings and Motions
The prosecution and defense may appear for additional court dates before trial.
Attorneys can also file motions asking the judge to decide legal issues.
For example, depending on the facts of a case, the defense might seek to challenge evidence, address discovery disputes, or ask the court to determine whether police conduct violated the defendant’s rights.
Preliminary Hearing in Felony Cases
Felony cases generally include a preliminary hearing.
A preliminary hearing is not a trial.
Its primary purpose is to determine whether sufficient evidence exists for the felony case to move forward.
If the defendant is held to answer after the preliminary hearing, the prosecutor generally files an Information, and the defendant is arraigned again on that charging document.
Plea Negotiations
Many criminal cases are resolved without a trial.
The prosecution and defense may discuss a possible negotiated resolution, but the decision whether to accept a plea agreement belongs to the defendant.
A defendant should understand both the immediate and collateral consequences before accepting an agreement.
Trial
If the case is not dismissed or otherwise resolved, it may proceed to trial.
The precise path depends on the charges, motions, evidence, negotiations, and procedural history of the case.
What Happens If You Miss Court in Alameda County?
Missing a required criminal-court appearance can have serious consequences.
Alameda County Superior Court warns that if a defendant fails to appear, the court may issue a bench warrant.
Depending on the circumstances, there may also be consequences involving bail or bond.
If you know in advance that you may have a problem appearing, contact your criminal defense attorney as soon as possible.
Do not simply assume that missing court can be fixed afterward.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alameda County Criminal Court
How Do I Find My Alameda County Criminal Court Date?
Start with your most recent court paperwork.
Alameda County Superior Court also provides criminal hearing and case information through its online criminal-court systems. Because calendar information can change, check again shortly before your appearance.
Which Courthouse Handles Criminal Cases in Alameda County?
The Alameda County Superior Court Criminal Division currently identifies four primary criminal courthouse locations: Wiley W. Manuel Courthouse, René C. Davidson Courthouse, East County Hall of Justice, and Fremont Hall of Justice.
Can I Attend Alameda County Criminal Court on Zoom?
Some criminal matters may allow remote appearances, but remote attendance is not automatically available for every hearing.
Confirm with your attorney or assigned court department before relying on a remote appearance.
What Time Should I Arrive at Alameda County Superior Court?
Arrive early enough to account for parking, public transportation, security screening, finding the correct department, and checking in.
Do not plan to reach the courthouse at the exact time listed for your hearing.
Can I Bring My Phone Into Alameda County Superior Court?
Courthouse policies govern electronic devices, and photography and recording are restricted.
Even when a phone can be brought into the building, follow all courtroom instructions about turning it off or storing it.
What Happens at My First Criminal Court Appearance?
If your first appearance is an arraignment, you will generally be advised of the charges and your rights, a plea may be entered, the judge may address release conditions or bail, and future court dates may be scheduled.
Do I Need a Lawyer Before My Alameda County Arraignment?
A defendant has the right to an attorney in a criminal case.
If you are considering hiring private counsel, speaking with an attorney before arraignment can allow the lawyer to review the charges, explain what to expect, and begin evaluating the case before important decisions are made.
Preparing for Criminal Court in Alameda County
A criminal court appearance can feel overwhelming, but preparation can eliminate some of the uncertainty.
Before leaving for court:
- Confirm your courthouse
- Confirm your department
- Check your hearing time
- Determine whether your appearance must be in person
- Plan transportation and parking
- Bring the necessary identification and documents
- Leave prohibited items at home
- Arrive early
- Know how to contact your attorney
Most importantly, do not rely on assumptions about where or how your case will be heard.
Court assignments, calendars, and procedures can change.
Talk to an Alameda County Criminal Defense Attorney
A courthouse guide can help you understand the logistics of appearing in court, but it cannot tell you what strategy makes sense for your particular criminal case.
The Nieves Law Firm represents people facing criminal charges throughout Alameda County and the Bay Area.
Our team handles cases in Oakland, Fremont, Dublin, and other courts throughout the region.
Learn more about our Alameda County criminal defense lawyers or our Oakland criminal defense team, or schedule a consultation to discuss your situation.
This article provides general information about Alameda County Superior Court and California criminal procedure. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Courthouse assignments, hours, calendars, procedures, and rules can change. Always confirm current information with Alameda County Superior Court and consult an attorney regarding your individual case.
Reviewed by Jo-Anna Nieves, California Criminal Defense Attorney
Last reviewed: October 11, 2026
This article was reviewed for legal accuracy by Jo-Anna Nieves, founder of The Nieves Law Firm, a California criminal defense firm representing individuals in Alameda County and throughout the Bay Area.
Official Sources
Alameda County Superior Court Criminal Division
Court locations and contact information
