San Jose and the surrounding area are home to numerous opportunities for free and discounted legal aid.
Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County
The Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County (LAS), founded in 1960, is a non-profit organization that provides services for low-income persons. LAS works to make sure that their clients have equal access to the justice system.
LAS offers services in legal areas including Family Law, Fair Housing, Landlord/Tenant Rights, Special Education, Immigration and Naturalization, and Conflicts Projects.
For more information, go to www.legalaidsociety.org/
Pro Bono Project
Founded in 1986, the Pro Bono Project represents clients of limited means get improved access to the justice system. The Pro Bono Project is staffed by over 300 experienced lawyers, all willing to work for no pay, in areas such as family law, domestic violence, consumer law, and federal practice.
To learn more, visit www.probonoproject.org/
FREE & LOW-COST LEGAL HELPHelp from the CourtLegal assistanceSelf-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator's Office: You can visit the Court's Self-Help Centers for free help in person from Court legal staff. If you have a Court case already, it's best to bring a copy of all the papers in your Court file. Please read this flyer for How to Use the Self-Help Center/ Family Law Facilitator's Office . Be sure to visit our Self-Help Workshops page for help in person for certain problems. See the Self-Help Flyers page or Self-Help Videos page for more help.
- Restraining Order Help Center: You can get help with restraining and protective orders in person at the Restraining Order Help Center.
- Small Claims Advisor: You can submit questions to the Court's Small Claims Advisor online, and be contacted by email.
- At the Counter in the Courthouse: Court clerks can give you copies of local rules and forms, or they can tell you where to get them. They can also tell you about important information, like courtroom hours and locations, and filing fees. They may be able to direct you to information online. But they cannot give legal advice.
Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center
A part of Santa Clara University Law School, the Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center provides pro bono assistance for cases involving workers’ rights, consumer rights, and immigration rights.
The Center aims to bring about social change by working with legislators and committees, as well as raise awareness in the community about the issues which they specialize in.
For more information, or to get in contact with the center, visit law.scu.edu/kgaclc/
Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara(link is external)Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara480 North First Street (at Empire Street) W. Robert Morgan Legal Services Center95112 San Jose , CAUnited StatesPhone: (408) 998-5200 San Jose Legal Resouce Links:
- Asian Law Alliance - consultation and legal representation on a free or low-cost basis for Asian/Pacific Islanders and low-income people
- Bay Area Legal Aid - free legal help with housing, family law, and public benefits
- California Rural Legal Assistance - helping people in Gilroy and South County
- Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) - providing legal assistance to low-income individuals in East Palo Alto and the surrounding communities
- Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center - part of Santa Clara University Law School
- Legal Advocates for Children and Youth (LACY)
- Legal Aid Society of Santa Clara County - provides free civil legal services for low-income persons unable to obtain access to the judicial system through other avenues
- Pro Bono Project - free volunteer legal services
- Senior Adults Legal Assistance (SALA)
- Adoption Resources
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Resources
- Family Court Services Resources and more Family Resources
- Immigration Resource Directory (California Courts website)
- Resources for Landlords and Tenants (Unlawful Disclaimer/UD)
- Resources relating to Restraining Orders and Domestic Violence
- Probate Resources
- Probate Resources for Children/Minors
- Traffic Resources
- California Courts Self-Help Center with information such as: where to look for help and information, how to work better with, and how to represent yourself in some legal cases. Also see California Court on YouTube , with Self-Help videos.
- California Law - The 29 codes that constitute the law in this state
- California Rules of Court - on the State Court website
- Judicial Council - State Court website
- LawHelpCalifornia.org - helping low-income Californians solve legal problems
- Legal Resource Guides - lists and links on the Sacramento County Law Library website
- Legal Services Corporation - national list of legal services programs around the nation to help poor Americans have equal access to the judicial system
- Local Rules of Court in Santa Clara County - on this website
- Santa Clara County Law Library
- State Bar Legal Information Pamphlets - consumer pamphlets on topics ranging from arrest to trials to divorce to trusts and wills