If you are experiencing an emergency please dial 911.
If you think you have a legal problem, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible to protect your rights. There are many ways to speak with an attorney. One way is by contacting your local bar association. They usually have an attorney referral service where for a nominal fee (usually around $30) they can provide you with a free 3o minute initial consultation with one of their referral service attorneys. Please see the following links for a more detailed explanation of the Lawyer Referral Service and How to Find and Attorney:
California State Bar, “What Can a Lawyer Referral Service Do For Me?”: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets/LawyerReferralService.aspx
California State Bar, “How Can I Find and Hire the Right Attorney”: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets/HiringaLawyer.aspx
THE CONTRA COSTA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION:
The CCCBA provides various valuable services to the public. Some are:
*Lawyer Referral and Information Service:
(925) 825-5700 – $30 administration fee for a free 30 minute initial consultation with one of their LRIS attorneys they have vetted. Each attorney is different. Some may give you a reduced rate or not charge you at all (Pro Bono), but normally they charge their normal rate. You must discuss that with the attorney.
http://www.cccba.org/community/find-a-lawyer/index.php
*Free legal workshops and clinics:
(925) 370-2549 – Please RSVP to attend. Knowledge is power. Attend a free workshop:
Bankruptcy Workshop
Civil Litigation Pro Per Clinic
Conservatorship Workshop
Domestic Violence Restraining Order Clinic
Debtors’ Rights Clinic
Family Law Workshops
Family Law Facilitator’s Office Self-Help Workshops
Guardianship Workshops
Immigration Law Workshop
Lawyers in the Library
Powers of Attorney & Advance Health Care Directives Workshop
Senior Self-Help Clinic
Small Claims Court Workshop
Tenant’s Rights Clinic
Wills & Trusts Workshop
General Information & Tips
http://www.cccba.org/community/free-legal-workshops/index.php
*Dispute with your attorney:
It could be a fee dispute, a communication breakdown or another issue. If you have a problem with your attorney and need info, contact:
http://www.cccba.org/community/disputes/index.php
THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA
The State Bar of California is the regulatory agency for California attorneys. You can view their record at the CalBar website to see if they are licensed to practice in California’s State Court system, review their basic contact info, where they went to law school and the status of their license from the first year they were granted permission to practice law in California until present. Also see if they have had any disciplinary actions against them in this state.
*The State Bar of California:
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Home.aspx
*The State Bar of California, member search:
Enter the attorney’s name to see basic contact info, check their bar status and see if they have had any public disciplinary actions against them.
http://members.calbar.ca.gov/fal/MemberSearch/QuickSearch
*Informational Pamphlets:
The State Bar has compiled documents answering frequently asked questions about the law.
How Can I Find and Hire the Right Lawyer?
What Should I Know If I Am Arrested?
How Do I Become a Lawyer?
What Should I Do If I Am a Crime Victim?
What Should I Know About Divorce and Custody?
Can The Law Help Protect Me from Domestic Violence?
What Should I Know About Elder Abuse?
What Are My Rights As An Employee?
What Should I Know About Serving on a Jury?
What Can a Lawyer Referral Service Do for Me?
What Can I Do If I Have a Problem with My Lawyer?
What Should I Know Before I Rent?
How Can I Resolve My Dispute Without a Trial?
How Do I Use the Small Claims Court?
http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets.aspx
SUPERIOR COURT OF CALIFORNIA, CONTRA COSTA COUNTY:
The court’s website is very informative. Here are some links:
*Superior Court, Contra Costa County:
http://www.cc-courts.org/
*Clerk’s Offices / Where to File Court Forms / Phone Numbers:
http://www.cc-courts.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=1735
*Help Me Find What I Need:
http://www.cc-courts.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=6718
*Free Legal Workshops and Clinics:
Civil Litigation Pro Per Clinic
Conservatorship
Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Elder Law (senior citizens)
Family Law (divorce)
Guardianship
Housing Law (eviction)
Small Claims
General legal information – Lawyers in the library
http://www.cc-courts.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=6626&parentID=1764
*Lawyers in the Library:
http://www.cccpllib.org/newsl.pdf
BAY AREA LEGAL AID:
BayLegal assist with various issues such as domestic violence, family law, landlord/tenant housing, foreclosure, health care, public benefits, immigration, consumer, bankruptcy and other issues. No assistance with criminal matters. Call them to see if they can help you.
*Office:
(800) 551-5554.
*Legal Assistance Lines:
(510) 250-5270 or (925) 219-3325
If you leave a message, keep in mind they sometimes call back on a blocked number, do not leave a message and usually only call once. Please call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing an emergency.
Hours of Operation:
Monday – 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday – 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday – 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (with additional hours on Wednesday afternoons from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for Domestic Violence survivors)
Thursday – 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
http://www.baylegal.org/
*Additional resources:
http://baylegal.org/get-help/additional-resources/
CONTRA COSTA SENIOR LEGAL SERVICES:
Provides free civil legal services to Contra Costa County residents who are 60 or older.
*Office:
(510) 374-3712
http://www.ccsls.org/
*Services:
Housing
Elder abuse
Individual rights
Public Benefits
Outreach
http://www.ccsls.org/services.html
*Resources and their Consult-an-Attorney Program:
http://www.ccsls.org/resources.html
NOLO PRESS:
*Legal Self-Help Manuals/Books:
Check them out at the library. Get most current edition. Publishes a number of legal self-help manuals on various areas of law such as bankruptcy, family law, small claims, foreclosure, civil litigation, etc.
*Find an Attorney:
Some attorneys pay to advertise on their website and indicate what their rates are and whether or not they provide free initial consultations. Select an area of law and enter your city or zip code. Try other local cities/zip codes to see different results. Check their bar status on the CalBar website before calling.
http://www.nolo.com/
Law Help California:
*Self-help resources:
Helping Californians find legal aid referrals & self-help resources.
http://www.lawhelpcalifornia.org/CA/index.cfm
California Courts Self-Help Center:
*Self-help resources:
Find assistance and information, work better with an attorney, and represent yourself in some legal matters.
http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/