Domestic Violence Prevention

BayLegal’s Domestic Violence Prevention Project takes a holistic approach to representing survivors from all walks of life. The family law unit’s services are designed to empower survivors with the information and options they need to stop the abuse and build safe, stable lives for themselves and their children. The project offers free legal assistance in obtaining restraining orders, divorces, support orders, safe custody, and visitation orders.

BayLegal’s Domestic Violence Prevention practice helps survivors with:

• Temporary Restraining Orders
• Divorce, legal separation or annulments
• Child or spousal support
• Custody and visitation orders
• Battered spouse waivers
• Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) enforcement
• Immigration issues faced by domestic violence survivors
• Training and community education
• NOTE:  BayLegal does NOT handle DACA matters or other immigration matters. Please contact Catholic Charities or International Institute of the Bay Area for more information

Get Legal Help

Please call 9-1-1 if you are experiencing an emergency.

LEGAL ADVICE LINE

The Legal Advice Line provides free legal advice and referrals in all languages on a range of civil legal issues.

California Relay Service

Dial 7-1-1 or from TTY dial 1-800-735-2929 or visit California Relay Service for more information.

LEGAL CLINICS

Our DVRO Clinics offer assistance with applying for DVROs or responding to DVROs in both remote and in-person formats Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30am – 1:00pm.  Please see below for specific information for each clinic day.

DVRO Clinic Tuesdays

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER CLINIC (REMOTE)

When: Tuesdays 9:30 am – 1:00 pm

Contact: STAND! crisis line 1-888-215-5555 or Family Justice Center (510) 974-7200 for an appointment

Title: REMOTE CLINIC – TUESDAYS

Bay Area Legal Aid’s Contra Costa County Domestic Violence Restraining Order clinics are currently being held remotely over the phone every Tuesday from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm. Please contact either STAND! at 1-888-215-5555 or the Family Justice Center at (510) 974-7200 to schedule an appointment.

Preparing for your appointment: Please keep your phone fully charged and position yourself in a quiet, confidential location for the duration of your appointment. If you have an Emergency Protective Order or child custody orders currently in place, please have a photo of those documents prepared to email to our clinic volunteer. If you have any evidence (photos, screenshots, etc.) that you would like attached to your restraining order request, please have these ready to email to our clinic volunteer. If you know you will no longer be attending your scheduled appointment, please let STAND! or the Family Justice Center know so we can open that appointment slot for another member of our community in need.

Attending your appointment: If you have an appointment currently scheduled, please stay by your phone and wait for a call from our clinic volunteers at 9:30 am. This call will come from an unknown number. If you do not answer, our volunteers will leave you a voicemail and attempt to contact you one more time. If you miss your appointment call, you can reschedule your appointment with the organization that originally scheduled you.

DVRO Clinic Wednesdays

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER CLINIC (WEST COUNTY)

When: Wednesdays 9:30 am – 1:00 pm

Contact: STAND! crisis line 1-888-215-5555 or Family Justice Center (510) 974-7200 for an appointment

Title: IN PERSON CLINIC – WEST COUNTY

Bay Area Legal Aid’s Contra Costa County Domestic Violence Restraining Order clinics are currently being held in person on Wednesdays at a community partner organization in West Contra Costa County from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm. Please contact either STAND! at 1-888-215-5555 or the Family Justice Center at (510) 974-7200 to schedule an appointment.

Preparing for your appointment: If you have an Emergency Protective Order or child custody orders currently in place, please bring a copy of these to your appointment or have them ready to email to our clinic volunteer. If you have any evidence (photos, screenshots, etc.) that you would like attached to your restraining order request, please have these ready to email to our clinic volunteer. If you know you will no longer be attending your scheduled appointment, please let STAND! or the Family Justice Center know so we can open that appointment slot for another member of our community in need.

Attending your appointment: Please arrive at least 15 minutes early to your appointment to ensure you have time to park and find the center. When you arrive, please check in with the front desk and they will escort you to your appointment. If you miss your appointment, you can reschedule your appointment with the organization that originally scheduled you.

 DVRO Clinic Thursdays

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESTRAINING ORDER CLINIC (REMOTE)

When: Thursdays 9:30 am – 1:00 pm

Contact: STAND! crisis line 1-888-215-5555 or Family Justice Center (510) 974-7200 for an appointment

Title: REMOTE CLINIC – THURSDAYS

Bay Area Legal Aid’s Contra Costa County Domestic Violence Restraining Order clinics are currently being held remotely over the phone every Thursday from 9:30 am – 1:00 pm. Please contact either STAND! at 1-888-215-5555 or the Family Justice Center at (510) 974-7200 to schedule an appointment.

Preparing for your appointment: Please keep your phone fully charged and position yourself in a quiet, confidential location for the duration of your appointment. If you have an Emergency Protective Order or child custody orders currently in place, please have a photo of those documents prepared to email to our clinic volunteer. If you have any evidence (photos, screenshots, etc.) that you would like attached to your restraining order request, please have these ready to email to our clinic volunteer. If you know you will no longer be attending your scheduled appointment, please let STAND! or the Family Justice Center know so we can open that appointment slot for another member of our community in need.

Attending your appointment: If you have an appointment currently scheduled, please stay by your phone and wait for a call from our clinic volunteers at 9:30 am. This call will come from an unknown number. If you do not answer, our volunteers will leave you a voicemail and attempt to contact you one more time. If you miss your appointment call, you can reschedule your appointment with the organization that originally scheduled you.