Resource Center
The Court cannot give you legal advice or refer you to a lawyer. If you are seeking advice on California law, you should consult with a lawyer licensed by the State Bar of California. This website provides summary information and educational materials as a public service, but they may not apply to your particular circumstances. Remember, this website is not intended to—and cannot take the place of—advice from a lawyer.
Where Can I Find Assistance?
Representing yourself in court can be very complicated. There are many rules and procedures to follow, and the courts differ in how some things are done. Many cases require immediate kinds of actions that a person with little or no legal training may be unaware of. The California Courts Online Self-Help Center has information about small claims cases, custody and visitation, separations and divorces, name changes, and many other issues.
Alameda County Law Library
- Law Library
- Lawyers in the Library Assistance Program
Judicial Council Information
- Home Page
- California Courts Self-Help Center
- Centro de Ayuda - Self Help Center information in Spanish
- Judicial Council Forms
Legal Materials and Support
- California Legislative Information
Community Legal Assistance
- Alameda County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service
- Legal Access Alameda
- Bay Area Legal Aid
- East Bay Community Law Center
- Family Violence Law Center
- Legal Assistance for Seniors
- Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach
- Eviction Defense Center
- Centro Legal de la Raza
- Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments (SAVE)
- Alameda County Family Justice Center
Other Helpful Resources
- Alameda County Behavioral Health Department
- Alameda County District Attorney's Office
- Alameda County Public Defender's Office
- Alameda County Sheriff's Office
- Alameda County Probation
- California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation
- California State Bar Association
- Department of Motor Vehicles
- Department of Consumer Affairs
- The Equal Justice Network - List of national sources for free legal services.
- Legal Services Corporation - National list of legal services programs and locater.
- Legal Services of Northern California - California's website for poverty law issues includes links to an extensive list of legal referrals
- Legal Aid Society - California website with "I-Can" program (a self-help type program)
- Public Interest Clearinghouse - California clearing house on public interest issues.
- E-juror - Deferral/Excusal
