Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services for Domestic Violence in Fresno
A comprehensive resource for survivors of domestic violence in Fresno: how to obtain restraining orders, where to find free legal help, local pro bono clinics, and vital services in Fresno County.
Introduction
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence in Fresno County, you deserve support, safety, and legal protection. The system can feel overwhelming, especially in moments of crisis, but there are free or low-cost legal tools and organizations ready to help. This guide is your reference point: how restraining orders work in Fresno, what services exist, how to access help, and essential contacts to keep nearby.
1. Understanding Restraining Orders & Legal Protections in Fresno County
Types of restraining / protective orders
Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO): Civil order to restrain an abuser with whom you have a close personal relationship. Fresno County Superior Court provides access and information for these. (Fresno Superior Court)
Civil Harassment Restraining Order: For non-domestic parties (e.g. neighbor, stranger) when harassment, stalking, threats exist. The Fresno self-help center offers instructions for “Civil Harassment” packets. (Fresno Superior Court)
Emergency Protective Order / Criminal Protective Order: Issued in criminal proceedings to offer interim protection, often by law enforcement in emergency situations. (Fresno County)
How restraining orders work in Fresno
The Fresno County Superior Court Self-Help Service Center assists people (in English, Spanish, and Hmong) with completing domestic violence restraining order forms and understanding the process. (Fresno Superior Court)
The Self-Help Center is located at 1130 O Street, First Floor. Phone: 559-457-2143 (Fresno Superior Court)
The court provides Form Instruction Packets including DVRO forms, responses, and instructions in English and Spanish. (Fresno Superior Court)
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Civil Process Unit handles serving restraining orders after they are issued. They do not issue them themselves. (Fresno Sheriff's Office)
The Fresno County Probation / Crime Victim Services outlines the various restraining order types, emergency orders, and guidance on filing and serving them. (Fresno County)
Family / Domestic Violence under Court Jurisdiction
The Family Law Department of Fresno Superior Court handles domestic violence issues (DVROs, custody/visitation, support). (Fresno Superior Court)
The Family Law Facilitator’s Office can assist with filing forms, draft motions, fee waivers, and support for self-represented litigants (though cannot represent you). (Fresno Superior Court)
2. Legal Aid & Pro Bono Organizations Serving Domestic Violence Survivors in Fresno County
Here’s a list of organizations that provide direct or referral legal assistance (or support) for domestic violence and related matters in Fresno / Central California:
Organization | What They Do / Focus | Contact / Notes |
|---|---|---|
Central California Legal Services (CCLS) | Civil legal aid for low-income residents across multiple counties, including family law and protection order matters. (Central California Legal Services) | They operate a Legal Advice & Referral line for screening: 800-675-8001 (Central California Legal Services) |
Fresno County Self-Help Service Center / Self-Help Center | Helps with self-represented litigants, DVRO forms, instructions, document review, rotating “how-to” clinics (Fresno Superior Court) | 1130 O Street, First Floor, Fresno • 559-457-2143 (Fresno Superior Court) |
Marjaree Mason Center (Legal Advocacy) | Advocates working with victims, including assistance in filling DVRO / restraining order paperwork and providing legal classes (“Legal Options”) (Marjaree Mason Center) | The center has victim advocates co-located in law enforcement offices; they also offer free legal options classes in Fresno and Clovis. (Marjaree Mason Center) |
Centro La Familia Advocacy Services | As listed in legal aid directories, they serve in criminal, domestic violence, family, and immigration matters in Fresno County. (Justia) | Phone: visible in directory listings (Justia) (Justia) |
Legal Professionals, Inc. (Fresno — Expanded Self-Help Services) | Offers help via contract: assistance with protective orders, civil harassment, domestic violence, and other family law matters. (Legal Professionals, Inc. - LPI) | They assist with protective orders and other civil filings. (Legal Professionals, Inc. - LPI) |
California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) | Provides legal aid in rural communities including Fresno; covers civil rights, family law, and immigration issues. (Wikipedia) | One of their regional offices serves Fresno County. (Wikipedia) |
Because resources are limited, many of these may provide referral, advice, or limited representation rather than full legal counsel in every case.
3. Eligibility, Intake & Preparation
To access services from legal aid or pro bono providers, you’ll often undergo an intake process. Here’s what to expect and what to prepare:
Eligibility criteria you may face:
Income / means test: free legal services typically reserved for low- or very low-income individuals. (e.g. CCLS screens via Legal Advice & Referral line) (Central California Legal Services)
Civil / family law matters only: criminal defense is often excluded from civil legal aid mandates.
Fresno jurisdiction: your case must be within Fresno County or handled in Fresno courts.
Conflict checks: providers will decline if they have a conflict (for example, if they represent both parties or have a prior relationship).
What to bring / prepare (if safe to do so):
Safe contact information (a phone/email the abuser doesn’t monitor)
Name/address of abuser or respondent, and relation to you
Evidence: texts, emails, photos, medical records, police reports
Any court documents or previous orders you have
Proof of income or benefit statements (recent pay stubs, benefits notices)
Additional supporting documents (e.g. child support, custody papers)
What happens after intake:
You may be given advice / limited scope help (help with drafting forms, guidance)
You may receive referral to another provider or clinic
In some cases, you may be matched with a volunteer attorney (if capacity allows)
You may receive court accompaniment or advocacy support via partner agencies (like Marjaree Mason Center)
4. Step-by-Step: Seeking Protection & Relief
Here’s a suggested roadmap to go from feeling unsafe to securing legal protection and follow-through.
Ensure safety / call 911 if there is an immediate danger.
Contact legal aid / support organizations such as Central California Legal Services, Marjaree Mason Center, the Self-Help Center, or Centro La Familia — request help with domestic violence restraining orders or family court help.
Attend legal orientation / clinics if available (Marjaree Mason Center has “Legal Options” classes for filling DVRO paperwork). (Marjaree Mason Center)
Visit the Self-Help Center at the Fresno court to get help filling the forms (DVRO, civil harassment) and review your paperwork before filing. (Fresno Superior Court)
File the restraining order petition at the Fresno Superior Court – either at the appropriate courthouse or via e-filing if available. (Rapid Legal)
Serve the order on the respondent (abuser) through the Sheriff’s Civil Process unit or qualified server. The Civil Unit does service; the court does not. (Fresno Sheriff's Office)
Attend the hearing(s). The court may grant temporary orders first; respondent must be served before a full hearing.
Enforce or modify orders if violations occur, or if your situation changes.
Pursue parallel relief (child custody, support, divorce, immigration) with legal aid or pro bono help if available.
5. Self-Help & Court Resources in Fresno
Fresno County Superior Court Self-Help Service Center
Assists self-represented litigants with DVRO, family law, custody, forms, and document review. Available walk-in hours. (Fresno Superior Court)Form Instruction Packets (DVRO, Civil Harassment, etc.)
Available from Fresno Superior Court in English and Spanish. (Fresno Superior Court)Family Law Facilitator’s Office
Provides neutral support in filling documents, fee waivers, referrals. Cannot represent you in court. (Fresno Superior Court)Legal Professionals, Inc. – Expanded Self-Help Services
Operates contract services to assist with protective orders, civil harassment, and related legal paperwork. (Legal Professionals, Inc. - LPI)LawHelpCA listing for Fresno Self-Help Service Center
Reviews documents, runs rotating clinics, offers self-help in domestic violence matters. (Law Help CA)
6. Hotlines, Support & Advocacy Services in Fresno
Marjaree Mason Center
One of the primary domestic violence shelters and advocacy centers in Fresno County. They operate legal advocacy, victim support, and legal options classes. (Marjaree Mason Center)Fresno County District Attorney – Victim & Witness Resources
Offers victim support, prosecution coordination, and helps victims access certification for U-visa / T-visa protections. (Fresno District Attorney)Fresno County Probation / Crime Victim Services (Restraining Order Info)
Offers public info on different restraining order types and process guidance. (Fresno County)Fresno County Sheriff – Civil Process (Restraining Orders)
For service of orders once issued; does not issue or file orders. (Fresno Sheriff's Office)Centro La Familia Advocacy Services
Provides support for domestic violence, family, immigration, and legal referrals in Fresno. (Justia)
7. Tips for Working with Legal Aid & Staying Safe
Emphasize urgency. When contacting legal aid, clearly state if violence is ongoing, children are involved, or safety is imminent.
Reach out to multiple organizations. Some may be full; some may specialize in certain aspects (immigration, family law).
Use safe communication. Use a phone/email the abuser doesn’t monitor, alternate devices if necessary.
Preserve all evidence. Texts, photos, medical records, voicemails.
Ask for language support if English is not your primary language—many Fresno services offer Spanish/Hmong support. (Fresno Superior Court)
Follow up persistently. Legal aid offices often have high demand; calling back and asking for referrals can help push your case forward.
Quick Directory (Save & Share)
Central California Legal Services (CCLS) — Legal Advice & Referral: 800-675-8001 (Central California Legal Services)
Fresno County Self-Help Service Center — 1130 O Street, First Floor • 559-457-2143 (Fresno Superior Court)
Marjaree Mason Center (Legal Advocacy) — crisis, legal options, shelter & support (Marjaree Mason Center)
Centro La Familia Advocacy Services — domestic violence, family, immigration referrals (Justia)
Legal Professionals, Inc. — expanded self-help / protective order assistance (Legal Professionals, Inc. - LPI)
Fresno County District Attorney – Victim & Witness — victim support & DA coordination (Fresno District Attorney)
Fresno Sheriff – Civil Process — service of restraining orders (Fresno Sheriff's Office)
Fresno Superior Court – Family Law / DVRO / Form Packets — court resources & forms (Fresno Superior Court)
Family Law Facilitator’s Office, Fresno — neutral assistance with documentation & referrals (Fresno Superior Court)
Disclaimer
This guide is intended for general informational use and does not constitute legal advice. The availability, eligibility, and procedures of legal aid and court services evolve over time. Always confirm with the organization or court before acting.