Embedded Files
Legal services are available to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals in Contra Costa County, including a post-release check-up to identify barriers requiring legal interventions, and other matters such as re-claiming forfeited property and criminal record employment discrimination. Scroll down to learn more about legal services in Contra Costa County!
CONTRA COSTA BAR ASSOCIATION
CONTRA COSTA BAR ASSOCIATION
Established in 1934, the Contra Costa Bar Association is a professional network of attorneys that provide low-cost legal services to community residents of Contra Costa County. They connect the community to valuable legal resources and assistance through the Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) and the Moderate Means Program. Scroll down to learn more about these programs & services!
HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for intake & referrals. No walk-ins.
FEES: $35 fee for referral, which includes an up to 30-minute telephone or office consultation for most areas of law. Fee is waived if client has been physically injured.
PHONE NUMBER: (925) 686-6900
ADDRESS
2300 Clayton Road
Suite 520
Concord, CA 94520
Lawyer Referral & Information Service
Lawyer Referral & Information Service
The Contra Costa Bar Association's Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS) provides residents of all parts of Contra Costa County a simple process to connect with lawyers to help resolve their legal issues. Scroll down and click on the "Lawyer Referral & Information Service" button to learn more!
Moderate Means Program
Moderate Means Program
The Moderate Means Program is designed for clients who need legal representation for FAMILY LAW and have limited resources. Scroll down and click on the "Moderate Means" button to learn more!
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT SELF-HELP CENTER
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT SELF-HELP CENTER
The Contra Costa County Superior Court's Self-Help Center provides procedural information and assistance to individuals who do not have an attorney. The Self-Help Center staff cannot offer legal advice. If you want to consult with a private attorney, contact the Contra Costa County Bar Association.
If you need further assistance and are a self-represented litigant, you can contact the Self-Help Center at (925) 608-2128 or by email at selfhelpcivil@contracosta.courts.ca.gov. All Self-Help assistance is via email or telephone.
Self-Help Assistance at the Court
Self-Help Assistance at the Court
The following services are available at the Contra Costa Superior Court Self-Help Center (see image).
FAMILY LAW: Click on the "Family Law Facilitator" button!
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDERS: Click on the "DVRO Information" button!
EVICTIONS: Click on the "Unlawful Detainer Information" button!
GUARDIANSHIPS & LIMITED CONSERVATORSHIPS: Click on the "Probate Division" button!
SMALL CLAIMS: Click on the "Small Claims" button!
Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services
Contra Costa County Department of Child Support Services
PHONE: (866) 901-3212
ADDRESS
50 Douglas Drive
Suite 100
Martinez, CA 94553
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Except Holidays)
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE
The Contra Costa County Public Defender provides legal representation for indigent persons accused of crimes in Contra Costa County.
SERVICES PROVIDED: Assistance with clearing prior criminal records through the Clean Slate Program; Provides rapid response, legal services, and community education project to support safety and justice for immigrant families through the Stand Together Contra Costa Program; Represents youth in long-term placement (group homes) and long term in-custody programs as well as youth in extended foster care proceedings through the Juvenile Justice Program; Provides legal assistance, information, and representation to individuals who have been arrested or cited for misdemeanor offenses from the time that they have had police contact through the Early Representation Program; Provides interdisciplinary case management and navigation services to individuals to ensure timely and coordinated access to a client-centered array of housing, behavioral health, transportation, and legal services at time of initial law enforcement contact; Provides community-based solutions to programs for alternatives to custody and develop re-entry plans by communicating directly with clients and members of their support systems; Works with clients to identify alternatives to incarceration such as substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment or connections with re-entry case management programs throughout Contra Costa County. Scroll down to learn more about the Clean Slate Program and the Alternate Public Defender program!
ELIGIBILITY: Unable to afford private attorney in criminal matters
INTAKE PROCEDURE: Call for appointment.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PHONE NUMBERS
Martinez Office: (925) 335-8000
Richmond Office: (510) 412-4900
OFFICE LOCATIONS
MAIN ADDRESS
800 Ferry Street
Martinez, CA 94553
RICHMOND BRANCH
3811 Bissell Avenue
Richmond, CA 94805
Clean Slate Program
Clean Slate Program
The Contra Costa County Public Defender's office offers Clean Slate services to help individuals clean their prior records in order to overcome barriers to employment, housing, education, and public benefits that a prior record can present. Click on the button below to learn more!
SERVICES PROVIDED: Dismissal of Conviction; Proposition 47 & Proposition 64 Relief; Reduction of Felony to Misdemeanor; Certificate of Rehabilitation; Juvenile Record Sealing; Drug Diversion Record Sealing; and legal advice regarding voting rights and jury service rights post-conviction.
CLEAN SLATE PROGRAM INTAKE: (925) 335-8150
MAIN ADDRESS
800 Ferry Street
Martinez, CA 94553
Phone: (925) 335-8000
RICHMOND BRANCH
3811 Bissell Avenue
Richmond, CA 94805
Phone: (510) 412-4900
Alternate Public Defender
Alternate Public Defender
The Alternate Public Defender's office provides free criminal defense to indigent individuals in which a case involves two or more parties. The Public Defender is unable to provide defense to both parties and one party must be referred to the Alternate Defender's office for proper criminal representation.
ELIGIBILITY: Must be an indigent individual facing criminal charges and must first be referred by the Public Defender's Office.
INTAKE PROCEDURE: Must be referred by the Public Defender's Office.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PHONE: (925) 335-8181
ADDRESS
627 Ferry Street
Martinez, CA 94553
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office provides a variety of legal services including child abuse prosecution, criminal domestic violence (private/public agencies available for help) and prevention, elder/dependent abuse investigation, environmental enforcement prosecutions for violations of state law, fraud (auto insurance fraud, consumer fraud, workers' compensation fraud, real estate fraud), high tech crime prosecution, homicide/gang reduction, juvenile prosecutions, major drug offender prosecutions, mental health litigation, sexual prosecution, three strikes prosecution and other functions.
In addition to the main office on Ward Street in Martinez, the District Attorney also has an office on Douglas Drive in Martinez (Central/East County) and an office in the George D. Carroll Courthouse in Richmond (West Contra Costa County). Both the Central/East County Office and the West County Office prosecute all misdemeanor and felony cases occuring in the Martinez judicial districts as well as West Contra Costa County including driving under the influence, assaults, petty theft, domestic violence, and prostitution.
OFFICE LOCATIONS
MAIN OFFICE
900 Ward Street
Martinez, CA 94553
CENTRAL/EAST COUNTY WEST COUNTY
10 Douglas Drive 100 37th Street
Martinez, CA 94553 Richmond, CA 94805
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
INTAKE PROCEDURE: Apply by phone, complaint form will be mailed or faxed. Form available online.
PHONE NUMBERS
MAIN OFFICE: (925) 957-2200
WEST COUNTY OFFICE: (510) 231-1800
EAST/CENTRAL COUNTY OFFICE: (925) 957-8540
Victim Witness Assistance Program
Victim Witness Assistance Program
No one can imagine the range of emotions that crime victims experience, except other victims and those who assist them. There isn't any way to prepare for the feelings of helplessness and frustration that crime victims endure.
The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Victim Witness Assistance Program provides victims and witnesses of crime information concerning the criminal justice system and assists victims with the following: filing of Victim of Crime Compensation Program applications, assistance in restiution determination and collection, court support, referrals to community agencies, counseling and therapy, creditor and/or employer intervention, information concerning victim's rights at parole hearings and other related issues. Advocates also guide victimes through the legal system and direct them to agencies and organizations that offer assistance and emergency services.
ELIGIBILITY: Contra Costa resident who is a victim or witness of a crime. Crime must be reported to law enforcement, victim must cooperate in the investigation and prosecution of a(n) known suspect(s), and victim must not have contributed to the event.
PHONE: (925) 957-8650
You can contact a District Attorney Victim Advocate at any of these numbers:
MARTINEZ: (925) 957-8650
RICHMOND: (510) 374-3272
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
ADDRESS
900 Ward Street
Martinez, CA 94553
BAY AREA LEGAL AID
BAY AREA LEGAL AID
Bay Area Legal Aid is the largest civil legal provider in the Bay Area. They provide low-income clients with free civil legal assistance, including legal advice and counsel, effective referrals, and legal representation in four areas: Housing, Public Benefits, Family Law for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and Consumer Housing.
HOUSING: Public, subsidized (including Section 8 and other HUD subsidized projects) and private housing, fair housing and housing discrimination, housing conditions, rent control, eviction defense, lock-outs and utility shut-offs, residential hotels. Provides eviction prevention legal counseling to individuals who are unable to pay their rent.
FAMILY LAW: Temporary restraining orders (TROs), divorce, legal separation or annulments, child or spousal support, custody and visitation orders, battered spouse waivers, Violence Against Women Act (VAMA) enforcement, immigration issues faced by domestic violence survivors.
PUBLIC BENEFITS: CalWORKs, SSDI (Social Security Disability Benefits), SSI, Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants, Food Stamps, GA, and other county-specific programs.
ELIGIBILITY: Must be a Contra Costa County resident. Income eligibility must be met for legal advice line, however, services may be provided via the clinics; eligibility for legal services can be determined via the legal advice line.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Bring all relevant papers to the appointment including proof of income or other financial documents, any documents related to the problem, including notices or court papers, any other information that may be relevant or helpful to show to an attorney.
INTAKE PROCEDURE: Call the Legal Advice Line for an appointment. Walk-ins for information ONLY accepted Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
HOURS OF OPERATION
OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
LEGAL ADVICE LINE: Mondays & Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
PHONE NUMBERS
Legal Advice Line: 1-800-551-5554
Contra Costa County West Office: (510) 250-5270
Contra Costa County East Office: (925) 219-3325
ADDRESS
1025 MacDonald Avenue
Richmond, CA 94801
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
(1) Bay Area Legal Aid helps people with civil legal problems. They do not provide help with criminal matters. For help with a criminal matter, contact the Contra Costa County Public Defender's office or the Contra Costa County Bar Association.
(2) Bay Area Legal Aid does not serve the following: landlords with housing issues; undocumented individuals with legal advice unless the client is a domestic violence or sexual assault victim.
Reentry Project
Reentry Project
If you are a resident of Contra Costa County and your arrest or conviction history is causing barriers in your life, request help from Bay Area Legal Aid's Reentry Project. Click on the buttons below to learn more!
Legal Barriers to Employment - Bay Area Legal Aid
Legal Barriers to Employment - Bay Area Legal Aid
If you are a resident of Contra Costa County, receive Personal Assisted Employment Services (PAES) OR welfare benefits like CalWORKs, and your arrest or conviction history is causing barriers to obtain and/or retain employment, request help from Bay Area Legal Aid by clicking on the "Legal Barriers to Employment" button.
CONTRA COSTA SENIOR LEGAL SERVICES
CONTRA COSTA SENIOR LEGAL SERVICES
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services provides free legal services to seniors aged 60 and over. The staff is available to assist with civil legal matters such as homelessness prevention, elder abuse (physical, emotional and financial), and preservation of resources. Contra COsta Senior Legal Services does not assist with criminal, tax, personal injury, or probate matters.
Contra Costa Senior Legal Services can assist with the following:
problems relating to housing, including those who face eviction
victims of abuse to enforce their rights against their abusers.
consumer protection
public benefits
advance health care directives
durable power of attorney
simple wills
ELIGIBILITY: Must be aged 60 and older. Must be a resident of Contra Costa County.
INTAKE PROCEDURE: Apply by phone for appointment.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PHONE: (925) 609-7900
ADDRESS
2702 Clayton Road
Suite 202
Concord, CA 94519
IMMIGRATION LAW
IMMIGRATION LAW
Immigration Institute of the Bay Area - Brentwood
Immigration Institute of the Bay Area - Brentwood
SERVICES PROVIDED: Immigration and reunification of families, family reunification, citizenship, battered spouse and child petitions, asylum, and deportation defense. Counsels clients on the general legal framework of living in the United States, such as due process, proper documentation for employment, consumer rights, and the necessity of auto insurance. Provides information and referral for persons with questions about immigratio. Offers immigrant-related workshops on U Visa, VAWA, and deportation.
PHONE: (925) 237-8581 ext. 11
ADDRESS
121 Sand Creek Road, Suite B
Brentwood, CA 94513
HOURS OF OPERATION
Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Catholic Charities of the East Bay - Richmond Service Center
Catholic Charities of the East Bay - Richmond Service Center
SERVICES PROVIDED: Legal Consultations; Family-Based Visa Petitions; Fiance Visas; Consular Processing; Inadmissibility Waivers; Remove Conditions on Residency; Permanent Residency (Green Card) Application & Renewal; Naturalization/U.S. Citizenship; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA); Unaccompanied Minors; Victims of Domestic Abuse (VAWA); Victims of Violent Crimes (U-VISA); Temporary Protected Status (TPS); Request of Immigration Records (FOIA); Travel Documents (Advance Parole)
PHONE (APPOINTMENTS): (510) 768-3100
ADDRESS
217 Harbour Way
Richmond, CA 94804
HOURS OF OPERATION
Mondays-Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.; 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The City of Concord helps tenants facing potential eviction from their apartment or rental home through free legal assistance.
The City of Concord helps tenants facing potential eviction from their apartment or rental home through free legal assistance.
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