Legal Aid & Pro Bono Services for Domestic Violence in San Francisco

Introduction

If you are experiencing domestic violence in San Francisco, you do not have to fight alone. Multiple legal aid, pro bono, and court self-help programs are tailored to help survivors obtain restraining orders, raise custody and support claims, access immigration relief, and navigate the justice system. This page is your all-in-one guide: what legal tools exist, who can help you, how to access them, and what steps to take.

1. Key Legal Tools: Restraining Orders & Protection Types in San Francisco

Types of Restraining / Protective Orders
San Francisco courts allow several types of civil restraining orders:

• Domestic Violence Restraining Order (DVRO) — for abuse or threats from a spouse, partner, cohabitants, family members.

• Civil Harassment Restraining Order — for harassment, stalking, or threats from a non-family, non-partner individual.

• Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse Restraining Order — when abuse involves a dependent adult or elder.

• Gun Violence Restraining Order & Workplace Violence Restraining Order — more specialized orders. (San Francisco Superior Court)

San Francisco Superior Court’s ACCESS Center helps litigants identify which type of order is appropriate, shows how to fill forms, and assists with the filing process. (San Francisco Superior Court)

Restraining Order Process

• The ACCESS Center cannot represent you, but will guide you, explain procedures, and provide referrals. (San Francisco Superior Court)

• Once you file a request (often called a petition), you may receive a temporary (ex parte) restraining order pending a hearing.

• The court then schedules a hearing where both parties may present evidence.

• At the hearing, the judge can make a longer-term order, which may include stay-away, no-contact, move-out, custody/visitation, and support directives. (San Francisco Superior Court)

Serving the Order
Once the order is granted, it must be served (delivered) to the respondent. In San Francisco, the Sheriff’s Office can assist with serving restraining orders free of charge. (San Francisco Sheriff)

Other legal issues often paired with DV cases

• Family law: custody, visitation, child and spousal support

• Immigration relief: VAWA, U-visa protections, etc. (see local immigration legal resources)

• Housing & public benefits: ensure stable shelter, safety, and economic support

• Crime victim rights & enforcement: for order violations and criminal cases

2. San Francisco Legal Aid & Pro Bono Organizations for Survivors

Here are trusted organizations in San Francisco that offer free or low-cost services for domestic violence survivors:

Because demand is high, many of these organizations triage by urgency, conflict, or eligibility (income, case type). It’s wise to reach out to multiple ones.

3. How to Determine Eligibility & Prepare for Intake

Survivor legal services often have limited capacity. Being prepared can improve your chances of getting help.

Common eligibility criteria:

• Income / means test (many services are reserved for low-income or subsidized individuals)

• Case type restrictions (some prioritize restraining orders, family law, immigration, but not criminal defense)

• Conflict of interest / capacity (if the organization already serves or served the other party, or is overwhelmed)

• Geographic or jurisdictional limits (must be SF or within the court system served by that provider)

What to gather (if safe):

• Safe contact info (phone / email abuser doesn’t track)

• Abuser’s identifying info (name, address, relationship to you)

• Evidence: texts, emails, voicemails, photos, medical reports, police reports

• Any existing court documents or orders

• Income information / benefits statements

• Child information (if minors are involved)

After intake, possible outcomes:

• Advice or brief assistance (form preparation, court guidance)

• Clinic or “limited scope” representation (help for restraining order hearings)

• Full representation if eligible and prioritized

• Referrals to other supportive services (counseling, advocacy, shelters)

4. Steps to Protect Yourself: Roadmap for Survivors

1. Safety first. If you feel you are in immediate danger, call 911.

2. Contact an advocate / legal resource such as CROC, BayLegal, JDC, or APILO. Explain you need help with a restraining order and legal protection.

3. Visit the ACCESS Center or attend a restraining order clinic. Use San Francisco’s ACCESS Center to get help filling forms and understanding what order to request. (San Francisco Superior Court)

4. File the petition. File for the appropriate restraining order type (DVRO, civil harassment, elder abuse) at San Francisco Superior Court. (San Francisco Superior Court)

5. Request a temporary order. Ask the court for immediate, short-term protection (ex parte) while waiting for the hearing.

6. Serve the order. Use Sheriff’s Office or civil process services to deliver the order to the abuser. (San Francisco Sheriff)

7. Prepare for your court hearing. Gather all evidence, consider getting a pro bono lawyer or advocate to help.

8. Enforce or modify orders if needed. If violations occur, report to law enforcement and ask the court to enforce or adjust terms.

Also ask your legal advocate about immigration remedies (e.g., VAWA, U visas) if applicable, especially if your safety is complicated by immigration status.

5. Self-Help & Court Navigation Tools

• San Francisco Superior Court – Restraining Orders & Self-Help
  The court’s website provides detailed instructions, sample forms, FAQs, and guidance. (San Francisco Superior Court)

• ACCESS Center (Assisting Court Customers with Education & Self-Help)
  Offers walk-in and online assistance for self-represented litigants in family law and restraining order cases. (San Francisco Superior Court)

• SF Law Library / Self-Help Resources
  The San Francisco Law Library curates self-help legal resources, clinics, form assistance, and directories. (City and County of San Francisco)

• SF Bar Association Free Legal Help Clinics / LARC
  The Bar Association helps with appointments for free legal clinics in family law, including domestic violence issues. (The Bar Association of San Francisco)

6. Hotlines, Support & Adjunct Services

• San Francisco Sheriff – Domestic Violence Resources
  The Sheriff’s Office serves restraining orders, offers restoration programs, and supports survivors in the domestic violence process. (San Francisco Sheriff)

• SF.gov Gender-Based Violence Resource Page
  Lists nonprofits, legal resources, and city/county agencies supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and stalking. (City and County of San Francisco)
  Example organizations:

  • Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach (APILO) — legal support, multilingual services. (City and County of San Francisco)

  • APA Family Support Services — case management, outreach, support groups. (City and County of San Francisco)

• Immigration legal aid for DV/VAWA
  Several immigration legal services in SF assist survivors: e.g. APILO, ALRP. (Get Immigration Help)

7. Practical Tips for Working with Legal Aid & Staying Safe

• Emphasize urgency when contacting legal aid (ongoing abuse, children, threat).

• Phone multiple organizations — don’t rely on one call.

• Ask about language and interpreter assistance.

• Communicate using private/safe channels (if abuser monitors).

• Organize evidence early — messages, photos, medical docs.

• Attend clinics or workshops (CROC, JDC) as soon as possible.

• Pair legal support with advocacy (crisis agencies, counseling, shelters) for safety and holistic assistance.

8. Quick Directory (Save & Share)

• Cooperative Restraining Order Clinic (CROC) — restraining order clinic & representation for DV, stalking, sexual assault survivors. (RO Clinic)

• Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal) — domestic violence & family law services. (BayLegal)

• Justice & Diversity Center (JDC), SF Bar — family law, DV, pro bono clinics. (The Bar Association of San Francisco)

• ACCESS Center, SF Superior Court — self-help, form assistance, referrals. (San Francisco Superior Court)

• APILO (Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach) — multilingual legal support in domestic violence and immigration. (City and County of San Francisco)

• San Francisco Sheriff – Domestic Violence Resources — serving restraining orders, supporting survivors. (San Francisco Sheriff)

• SF Bar Free Legal Help / Clinics (LARC, Bar referral) — limited advice, family law clinics. (The Bar Association of San Francisco)

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice. The availability, eligibility, and court procedures of legal services change over time. Always confirm details directly with the court or legal provider before acting.