Free help and legal resources for the bail process
By Jane Un, licensed bail agent #1843448. Updated October 29, 2026.
An arrest touches everything at once, court, money, work, kids, health. These are the public offices and nonprofit groups in Los Angeles that help for free or at low cost. Every listing was checked on the organization's own website on October 29, 2026.
This directory lists government offices and nonprofit organizations only. Jane Un Bail Bonds does not recommend any attorney and is not connected to the organizations listed. California law bars bail agents from recommending attorneys. If you need a lawyer and cannot afford one, ask the judge for a public defender at your first court date.
Free criminal defense
If you are charged with a crime and cannot afford a lawyer, the court can assign a county public defender at no cost to you. Ask for one at your first court date. Offices for the City of Los Angeles come first, then the rest of the county.
LA County Public Defender (main office)
County lawyers who defend people charged with crimes in LA County courts. Ask the court for a public defender at your first court date, called the arraignment. You can also call the office at the courthouse where you must appear and ask for an attorney. They accept collect calls from people in custody.
Who People charged with a crime in an LA County court who cannot afford a lawyer, no matter where they live or their citizenship
(213) 974-2811 · 210 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
LA County Alternate Public Defender (main office)
A second county defense office. It takes cases when the Public Defender has a conflict of interest, such as when more than one person is charged in the same case. You cannot hire this office. The court assigns it. It has offices in Airport, Metro, Van Nuys, Compton, Long Beach and many other areas.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer and whose case the Public Defender cannot take
(213) 974-6626 · 210 W. Temple St., Suite 18-709, Los Angeles, CA 90012
LA County Public Defender Misdemeanor Non-Traffic Arraignments Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts. This office is at the Central Arraignment Courthouse.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(213) 974-6598 · 429 Bauchet St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
LA County Public Defender Metropolitan Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(213) 744-4121 · 1945 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90007
LA County Public Defender Airport Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(310) 727-6200 · 11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90045
LA County Public Defender East Los Angeles Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(323) 780-2064 · 4848 Civic Center Way, Los Angeles, CA 90022
LA County Public Defender Hollywood Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(323) 856-5704 · 5925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
LA County Public Defender Van Nuys Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts. The county lists hours as Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(818) 374-2350 · 14400 Erwin St., Van Nuys, CA 91401
LA County Public Defender San Fernando Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(818) 898-2440 · 900 Third St., San Fernando, CA 91340
LA County Public Defender Chatsworth Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(818) 576-8850 · 9425 Penfield Ave., Chatsworth, CA 91311
LA County Public Defender Compton Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(310) 603-7271 · 200 W. Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90220
LA County Public Defender Long Beach Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts. The county locator lists this number as the juvenile office line.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(562) 247-2500 · 275 Magnolia Ave., Suite 2195, Long Beach, CA 90802
LA County Public Defender Mental Health Branch
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts. This branch also handles mental health commitment and conservatorship cases.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(323) 226-2932 · 1150 N. San Fernando Rd., Los Angeles, CA 90065
LA County Public Defender Juvenile Services Headquarters
The county public defender office that handles cases for young people charged with delinquent behavior. Juvenile offices also serve Compton, Downey, Eastlake, Kenyon, Lancaster, Sylmar and other areas.
Who Young people charged in juvenile court whose families cannot afford a lawyer
(213) 893-0283 · 320 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90013
LA County Public Defender Alhambra Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(626) 308-5324 · 150 W. Commonwealth Ave., Alhambra, CA 91801
LA County Public Defender Bellflower Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(562) 804-8083 · 10025 Flower St., Bellflower, CA 90706
LA County Public Defender Beverly Hills Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(310) 550-2055 · 9355 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
LA County Public Defender Burbank Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(818) 557-3537 · 300 E. Olive Ave., Burbank, CA 91502
LA County Public Defender Downey Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(562) 803-7130 · 7500 Imperial Hwy., Downey, CA 90242
LA County Public Defender El Monte Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(626) 575-4174 · 11234 Valley Blvd., El Monte, CA 91731
LA County Public Defender Glendale Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(818) 500-3561 · 600 E. Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205
LA County Public Defender Inglewood Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(310) 419-5248 · 1 Regent St., Inglewood, CA 90301
LA County Public Defender Lancaster Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(661) 974-7400 · 42011 4th St. West, Lancaster, CA 93534
LA County Public Defender Malibu Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(310) 317-1366 · 23525 W. Civic Center Way, Malibu, CA 90265
LA County Public Defender Norwalk Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(562) 345-3900 · 12720 Norwalk Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650
LA County Public Defender Pasadena Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(626) 356-5481 · 300 E. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91101
LA County Public Defender Pomona Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(909) 868-6400 · 300 S. Park Ave., Pomona, CA 91766
LA County Public Defender Santa Clarita Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(661) 253-7262 · 23747 W. Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355
LA County Public Defender Torrance Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(310) 543-4300 · 3655 Torrance Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503
LA County Public Defender West Covina Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(626) 813-3460 · 1427 W. West Covina Pkwy., West Covina, CA 91790
LA County Public Defender Whittier Office
A branch office of the county public defender. Its lawyers defend people charged with crimes in nearby LA County courts.
Who People charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer
(562) 907-3160 · 7339 S. Painter Ave., Whittier, CA 90602
Court help
These pages help you find your court, look up a case, get an interpreter and ask for disability access. Court staff cannot give legal advice.
LA Superior Court Self-Help Centers
Court staff help people who do not have a lawyer. The court also holds community workshops that include help filling out expungement petitions. You can call to ask about remote appointments.
Who People handling a court matter without a lawyer
LA Superior Court interpreter request
The court says interpreter services are free. A Spanish interpreter is available at each courthouse for some case types. For other languages in a courtroom hearing, ask for an interpreter before your court date.
Who People who need a language interpreter for court
Languages Interpreters in many languages. Ask early for languages other than Spanish.
LA Superior Court case access
An online tool to look up public information about criminal and other cases. You can search by case number. Searching by a person's name may charge a fee.
Who Anyone looking for a case
LA Superior Court traffic citations
The court home page lists an online service for traffic citations. Use it to look up a ticket or ask about common traffic matters.
Who People with a traffic ticket
LA Superior Court ADA accommodations
The court has an ADA Coordinator and a liaison at each courthouse. The page explains how to ask for help if you are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or have trouble speaking, or if you bring a service animal.
Who People with disabilities who have court business
California Courts Online Self-Help Center
The state courts site has plain guides on criminal cases, traffic, juvenile justice and more. It also helps you find your court.
Who Anyone in a California court matter
LA Law Library
A county law library with legal books, research databases and help finding court information and legal help. It has branches or partner sites in Compton, Lancaster, Long Beach, Pasadena, Van Nuys and other places. Check the site for rules and fees.
Who Members of the public
213-785-2529 · 301 W. First St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. This is the central criminal courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
210 W. Temple St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Central Arraignment Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. The Public Defender has an arraignment office in this building. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
429 Bauchet St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Metropolitan Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
1945 S. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Hollywood Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
5925 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028
East Los Angeles Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
4848 E. Civic Center Way, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Airport Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
11701 S. La Cienega, Los Angeles, CA 90045
San Fernando Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
900 Third St., San Fernando, CA 91340
Compton Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
200 W. Compton Blvd., Compton, CA 90220
Governor George Deukmejian Courthouse (Long Beach)
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
275 Magnolia, Long Beach, CA 90802
Norwalk Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
12720 Norwalk Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650
Pasadena Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
300 E. Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91101
Santa Monica Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
1725 Main St., Santa Monica, CA 90401
Torrance Courthouse
A Superior Court of Los Angeles County courthouse. Check your court papers to learn which courthouse and courtroom your case is in.
Who Anyone with a case or business at this courthouse
825 Maple Ave., Torrance, CA 90503
Finding someone and custody information
Use these official pages to find someone in custody, plan a visit and ask about their health. They are run by the Sheriff, the LAPD and the county.
LASD Inmate Information Center
The Sheriff's online tool to find someone in an LA County jail. Have the person's name and date of birth ready. Records may not show for bookings from the last 2 hours. The phone line also answers general custody questions.
Who Family, friends and lawyers looking for someone in custody
LASD Booking Log
A Sheriff's online log of recent bookings by station.
Who Anyone looking for a recent booking
LASD jail visit scheduling
The Sheriff's system to schedule public visits at county jails. Visits must be booked up to 7 days ahead and walk-ins are not allowed. The help desk is open Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 2:00pm.
Who Family and friends of people in LA County jails
(213) 680-4887 · Languages English, Spanish
LASD inmate deposits
The Sheriff's visit page says money for someone in jail can be deposited through an outside company at accesscorrections.com or its app. Call the company help number on the page with questions. Fees may apply.
Who Family and friends who want to put money on an account
LASD jail services and care packages
The Sheriff's page on inmate services. It explains that care packages and phone calls are sold through outside vendors and lists the Inmate Services Bureau for questions about programs and books.
Who Family and friends of people in LA County jails
LAPD jail and custody information
The LAPD page explains how to post bail at LAPD jails, which take bail 24 hours a day in cash, a bond or a cashier's check. The public can call the number listed to learn whether a person is in custody.
Who People arrested by LAPD and their families
LA County Correctional Health Services
The LA County Health Services program for health care in the county jail system. For health concerns that need quick help, the Sheriff's Inmate Information Center lists the medical command center number.
Who Families with a health concern about someone in an LA County jail
LASD Family Assistance Program
Trained advocates support families after an in-custody death or fatal use of force by the Sheriff's Department. They connect people to mental health help and can help with burial costs.
Who Families affected by an in-custody death or fatal use of force
LA County Office of Inspector General
The county office that oversees the Sheriff's Department and takes complaints and commendations. It says to call 911 in an emergency.
Who Anyone with a complaint about Sheriff's Department conduct
Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission
A county commission that works to make the Sheriff's Department more open to the public. It holds public meetings.
Who Members of the public
Pretrial release and diversion
These county and city programs help with release decisions, reporting after release, and programs that connect people to care instead of jail. Your lawyer can tell you which ones may apply to your case.
LA County Probation Adult Pretrial Services
Staff give courts background information and release suggestions about pretrial detention. They work in most LA County courthouses. The main office is open Monday through Friday. The Probation Information Center number can answer other questions.
Who Defendants whose release the court is deciding
(213) 351-0373 · 12021 S. Wilmington Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90059
LA County Probation Pretrial Services at the Airport courthouse
A Probation pretrial office at the Airport courthouse. Two other pretrial offices, Bauchet and Valencia, closed on October 1, 2025.
Who Defendants whose release the court is deciding
(310) 727-6153 · 11701 S. La Cienega Blvd., Room 201, Los Angeles, CA 90045
LA County Probation Information Center
The main Probation phone line. Anyone released from custody or court and referred to Probation must report to an area office within 48 hours for intake.
Who People referred to Probation and their families
LA County Probation Long Beach Area Office
A Probation area office where people referred to Probation report after release.
Who People on probation or supervision in the area
LA County Probation East Los Angeles Area Office
A Probation area office where people referred to Probation report after release.
Who People on probation or supervision in the area
LA County Probation Firestone Area Office
A Probation area office where people referred to Probation report after release.
Who People on probation or supervision in the area
LA County Probation Centinela Area Office
A Probation area office where people referred to Probation report after release.
Who People on probation or supervision in the area
LA County Probation East San Fernando Valley Office
A Probation area office where people referred to Probation report after release.
Who People on probation or supervision in the area
LA County Probation South Central Area Office
A Probation area office where people referred to Probation report after release.
Who People on probation or supervision in the area
LA County Probation Antelope Valley Sub Office
A Probation office where people referred to Probation report after release.
Who People on probation or supervision in the area
LA County Office of Diversion and Reentry
A part of LA County Health Services that moves people with serious health needs out of the justice system and into housing and care. Programs include LEAD, ODR Housing, and housing for pregnant women who would otherwise be in jail. Each program page lists its own rules.
Who People with serious physical or behavioral health needs, as set by each program
LA County Justice, Care and Opportunities Department
A county department that includes the Alternatives to Incarceration Office and works on pretrial release programs. Its free support center answers questions seven days a week.
Who LA County residents with questions about county justice and care programs
LA County Public Defender treatment courts
The Public Defender explains the Community Collaborative Courts. They serve people facing felony charges who have mental illness or substance use disorder, veterans, and victims of sex trafficking. Probation screens people for fit. The courts sit in Central, Van Nuys, Compton and Long Beach.
Who People charged with felonies who are referred and screened
Los Angeles City Attorney H.E.A.R.T. Homeless Court
The City Attorney's team helps unhoused people clear traffic and pedestrian tickets by joining services instead of paying fines. It also takes referrals from homeless service groups and nonprofit legal partners.
Who People who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness with infraction tickets
LA County Probation Drug Court
The Probation page on its Drug Court program.
Who People whose cases are referred to drug court
Legal aid and help with the effects of a case
These groups help with clearing records, immigration questions, victim support and wrongful convictions. Most do not defend new charges. Each group sets its own rules for who it can help.
LA County Public Defender record clearing
The Public Defender runs free record clearing services and a mobile unit that visits communities. The events page lists where the unit will be next.
Who People with old convictions who want them cleared
LA County Alternate Public Defender Clear Your Record
The office says many charges can be reduced, dismissed or expunged. Contact the office to learn if any part of an old record can be cleared.
Who People with old convictions
LA County Public Defender Immigration Unit
Staff help LA County residents understand immigration effects of a criminal case. Ask your public defender to connect you.
Who LA County residents with a criminal case and immigration questions
LA County Public Defender Client Advocates
Advocates work with clients to protect them from the harm of an arrest and link them to resources.
Who Public Defender clients
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles record clearing
A legal aid group that offers free help with expungements and other record clearing. It holds monthly intake clinics. You can also apply online or call.
Who People with records who qualify for free legal help
800-399-4529 · Languages English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Khmer, Vietnamese, Thai, Farsi, Dari, Russian, Filipino
Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County Clean Slate
NLSLA says it gives free legal help to LA County residents. Its Clean Slate program works on criminal records. You can apply online or by phone.
Who LA County residents who qualify for free legal help
1-800-433-6251 · Languages English, Spanish, Armenian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Russian
A New Way of Life legal services
This reentry group holds free expungement clinics two to three times a month on Wednesday evenings. You can register by phone or online.
Who People rebuilding their lives after incarceration
Homeboy Industries legal services
Legal staff and volunteer attorneys hold consultation clinics by appointment on immigration, DCFS, expungements and family law.
Who Homeboy Industries clients and community members
(323) 526-1254 · 130 W. Bruno St., Los Angeles, CA
Public Counsel
A public interest law group that gives free legal services or matches people with pro bono lawyers. Its site covers immigration, housing and other civil needs.
Who People who qualify for its civil legal help
CARECEN Los Angeles
A Central American resource group that offers low cost immigration legal help from offices in Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley and San Bernardino.
Who Immigrants seeking legal help
(213) 385-7800 · 2845 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90005
CHIRLA Immigrant Assistance Referral Line
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights lists a referral line for immigrant help and a separate number for legal assistance.
Who Immigrants and their families
Immigrant Defenders Law Center
A nonprofit that gives free legal aid to people facing deportation. It runs a Rapid Response legal hotline and posts know your rights guides.
Who Immigrants affected by the immigration system
LA County Office of Immigrant Affairs
The county office that connects immigrants to services and reports immigration services fraud. The hotline is open weekdays.
Who LA County immigrants
VA Veterans Justice Outreach
A VA program that connects justice involved veterans in jails and treatment courts to VA health care, housing and recovery services.
Who Veterans in jail or in treatment courts
LA Rape and Battering Hotline (Peace Over Violence)
A 24 hour hotline for sexual and domestic violence. The group also has video phone lines for ASL.
Who Anyone affected by sexual or domestic violence
626-793-3385 · Languages English, Spanish, ASL
National Domestic Violence Hotline
A national hotline with live advocates by phone, chat and text.
Who Anyone affected by domestic violence
LA County District Attorney Bureau of Victim Services
Victim service representatives work in courthouses and police stations and help people harmed by violent crime. Services are free and have no residency or citizenship rule.
Who Victims of violent crime
(800) 380-3811 · Languages Several languages
California Victim Compensation Board
The state board reimburses crime related expenses. Its site explains who is eligible and what is covered.
Who Crime victims
Loyola Project for the Innocent
A Loyola Law School clinic that serves people in LA County prisons who say they were wrongly convicted. The site has a way to submit a case.
Who People convicted in LA County who claim innocence
USC Post-Conviction Justice Project
A USC Gould School of Law project that represents people in California prisons in parole hearings and some court matters.
Who Incarcerated people in California
Disability Rights California
A nonprofit that protects the rights of people with disabilities. Check its site for what it can take on.
Who People with disabilities
Languages English, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Khmer, Russian, Tagalog, Hmong, Armenian, Arabic, Japanese
Family and basics
Food, housing, health and job help for you and your family while a case is open and after release.
211 LA
A nonprofit hotline and website for health, housing, food and other services in LA County. It is open 24 hours a day with help in many languages.
Who Anyone in LA County
800-339-6993 · Languages Many languages
Los Angeles Regional Food Bank
A food bank with a tool to find a food pantry and pages on CalFresh and CSFP.
Who People who need food
LA County CalFresh (DPSS)
The county benefits office that runs the CalFresh food program. It offers free interpreter help.
Who Low income households
1-866-613-3777 · Languages Free interpreters, including ASL
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
The agency that links people to housing, outreach and crisis help. Its Get Help page points to 211 LA and 988.
Who People who are homeless or at risk
LA County Department of Mental Health Help Line
A 24 hour line for mental health help and referrals. It is also listed on the Sheriff's page as free.
Who Anyone in LA County
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
Call, text or chat any time for free and private support.
Who Anyone in distress
LA County Substance Abuse Service Helpline
Call to find substance use treatment. The county says treatment is at no cost to eligible people no matter their legal status. The site also has a tool to find open beds.
Who People who want substance use help
LA County DCFS Child Protection Hotline
The county hotline for reporting child abuse or neglect. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Who Anyone with a concern about a child
LA County Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health
The county health programs include free home visiting from pregnancy through age 5 and free doula care for some families.
Who Pregnant people and families with young children
Homeboy Industries
A reentry and gang rehabilitation program with job training, case management and other services. Its office is open Monday through Friday.
Who People who were gang involved or incarcerated
(323) 526-1254 · 130 W. Bruno St., Los Angeles, CA
Chrysalis
A nonprofit that helps people with barriers to work prepare for, find and keep jobs. It says its services are free and open to all. The Reentry Opportunity Center is on Vermont Avenue.
Who Job seekers, including people returning from incarceration
(323) 730-4471 · 3965 S. Vermont Ave., 3rd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Anti-Recidivism Coalition
A group that supports formerly incarcerated people with case management, counseling, housing, education and job training. It has a membership model.
Who Formerly incarcerated people
A New Way of Life Reentry Project
A reentry group that offers housing, case management and pro bono legal services for people rebuilding after incarceration.
Who People returning from incarceration
LA County Probation reentry resources
The Probation page for people just released lists 211 LA, LA County Help and the Office of Diversion and Reentry as resources.
Who People released from custody
Know your rights and check licenses
Learn your rights, check that a lawyer or a bail agent is licensed, and file a complaint if something goes wrong.
ACLU of Southern California Know Your Rights
Plain language Know Your Rights guides, including one on what to do when stopped by an officer.
Who Anyone
Languages English, Spanish
LA County Public Defender Know Your Rights
The Public Defender shares information to help county residents understand the criminal legal system.
Who LA County residents
California Department of Justice record review
The state explains that you have the right to review your own criminal history record and how to request it.
Who People who want a copy of their own record
State Bar of California attorney lookup and complaints
Use the State Bar site to check a lawyer's profile and license status, learn about legal services fraud, and file a complaint. The Los Angeles State Bar office is listed.
Who Anyone checking a lawyer
213-765-1000 · 845 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017
California Department of Insurance license lookup
The state regulates bail agents. Use its license check to confirm a bail agent's license status. Phone listed for agent and license questions.
Who Anyone checking an agent or broker license
California Department of Insurance bail bond information and complaints
The Department has regulated the bail business since 1937. The site has a page on bail bonds and a way to file a complaint or ask a question.
Who Anyone with a question or complaint about a bail bond or agent
Lawyer referral service
This is a bar association referral service and not a free legal aid group. The service says there is no fee for a referral and a first meeting of up to 20 minutes is free. The attorneys charge fees after that. Listing here is not a recommendation.
LACBA SmartLaw Lawyer Referral Service
The Los Angeles County Bar Association service asks about your case and refers you to a screened attorney. Its site says the service is certified by the State Bar. No fee for the referral and a free first consult of up to 20 minutes. Attorneys charge fees after that and do not offer free services through this program.
Who People who want to hire a private lawyer
1-866-762-7852 · Languages English, Spanish