Legal Resources

Disability Services and Legal Center  

Disability Services and Legal Center offers a multitude of services to provide access and opportunity to those who live with disabling conditions. One of the most important services for COTS clients is that the agency can assist with initial applications for benefits and any subsequent appeals of denials of those benefits. You can contact DSLC at (707) 528-2745.

Sonoma County Legal Aid 

Sonoma County Legal Aid provides free legal assistance to COTS clients in the following matters:

• Expungements and other criminal record issues, such as reducing “wobbler” felonies to misdemeanors

• Some family law issues

• Challenging denials or reductions in public benefits

• When possible, clearing past evictions

• Issues with vouchers and other subsidized housing

• Consumer debt issues

• Housing discrimination

• Eviction notices

You can ask your case manager for a referral to Legal Aid.  

Sonoma County Public Law Library

The Sonoma County Public Law Library can help you locate forms and other resources to aid you in legal matters. The site does not provide legal advice.

Sonoma County Homeless Court

Sonoma County’s Homeless Court is held on the first Thursday of each quarter. The judge will often convert fines and fees to a manageable number of community services hours. Homeless Court will hear:

Local ordinance violations like camping, inhabiting a vehicle, sleeping on the sidewalk

Vehicle-related tickets, like fix-it tickets, lack of registration, lack of insurance

Some moving violations, like speeding tickets or failure to stop.

To sign up for Homeless Court, you must be referred by your Case Manager. COTS can help you with transportation to and from the Court House and will allow you to fulfill your community service hours at COTS.

Sonoma County Public Defender

You may contact the Sonoma County Public Defender If you need help with any of the following:

• Criminal cases

• Contempt cases

• Appeals

• Cases involving mental health guardianships and conservatorships

• Juvenile cases

You may contact the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office. 707-565-2791.

If you would like help with an expungement, you can email the Public Defender’s office at: expungements@sonoma-county.org

Modest Means Lawyer Referral Service

The Sonoma County Legal Services Foundation provides referrals to attorneys who will charge fees on a sliding scale. There is no website. Call (707)546-2924 for a referral. 

The attorneys can help in the following  matters:

• Probate

• Housing

• Family Law

• Bankruptcy

• Juvenile Law

• Employment

• Debt Collection

• Misdemeanors

• Traffic violations

Sonoma County Family Law Facilitator

The Sonoma County Family Law Facilitator can:

• Provide you blank forms and filing instructions for most family law issues

• Review your completed forms before you submit them to the Clerk's office for filing

• Answer procedural questions about most family law issue.

Lawyers in the Library

Lawyers in the Library

Volunteer lawyers are meeting virtually with people to provide information and referrals. Click here for a schedule. You must travel to the Sonoma County Law Library to participate.