Alameda County Public Defender argues against Dublin arraignments

A new $147 million courthouse opened in Alameda County Court this week, and already the building, or rather its location, is sparking controversy. Public Defender Brendon Woods is speaking out against the court being designated for arraignments in Dublin, a 30-minute drive from Oakland, where most of the defendants and their families live. He contends that defendants will spend longer time in jail because of the distance. He also said that it’s a hardship for many relatives to attend arraignments in Dublin if they don’t have cars, and public transportation can be a hassle. A round-trip BART ticket from Oakland to Dublin is $12.