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

Why this guide

If you’re experiencing intimate partner violence in San Jose or anywhere in Santa Clara County, you’re not alone—and free or low-cost legal help exists. This guide is your one-stop resource for domestic violence restraining orders (DVROs), custody/visitation & support, divorce, immigration options, and local hotlines and self-help.

1) Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (DVROs): how it works locally

• Get help applying: The Santa Clara County Superior Court has a dedicated Restraining Order Help Center and an online Q&A tool to complete DVRO forms from home. If you’re in immediate danger, call 911 first. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Where your case is heard: Family law matters (including DVROs) are handled at the Family Justice Center Courthouse in San Jose. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Self-help & low-cost legal help: The Court’s Self-Help Center/Family Law Facilitator provides free workshops, videos, and guidance for people without lawyers. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Other order types: The Court’s self-help pages explain criminal protective orders and civil harassment orders (used when the person isn’t a close partner or family member). (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Serving your order: After a judge issues a restraining order, you can request service through the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Civil Services. (Santa Clara County Sheriff)

2) Trusted legal aid & pro bono organizations (San Jose / Santa Clara County)

Tip: Call more than one provider—capacity varies week to week.

Bay Area Legal Aid (BayLegal) – Santa Clara County Office

• What they do: Family-law help for DV survivors (restraining orders, custody, support, dissolution). Office in downtown San Jose. (BayLegal)

Pro Bono Project Silicon Valley

• What they do: Connects low-income clients to volunteer attorneys for family-law/DV and other civil matters (limited or full-scope). (Pro Bono Project)

YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley – Family Justice & Legal Services

• What they do: Family Justice Center services with attorneys and advocates for immigration law, family law, legal advocacy, and coordinated support. (YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley)

Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (NDS)

• What they do: Countywide DV agency offering 24/7 crisis hotline, legal advocacy, safety planning, referrals, and emergency services. (Next Door Solutions)

Law Foundation of Silicon Valley

• What they do: Free civil legal services (housing, health, children & youth). Can advise or refer in family-related safety matters and partner within local networks. (Law Foundation of Silicon Valley)

Family Justice Centers (Santa Clara County DA’s Office)

• What they do: “One-stop” sites where survivors can access coordinated legal, advocacy, and law-enforcement support. (Santa Clara County District Attorney)

3) Eligibility & intake: what to expect (and how to prepare)

Common eligibility filters

• Income/asset limits (many legal-aid programs use poverty-guideline thresholds)

• Case type/venue (DV/family matters in Santa Clara County courts)

• Conflict checks & capacity (they must decline if they’ve helped the other party or lack bandwidth)

What to prepare (if safe)

• Safe contact info

• ID (if available)

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

• Prior court orders

• Proof of income/benefits (if asked)

After intake you may receive

• Advice/brief service (forms help, coaching)

• Full representation (if eligible & capacity allows)

• Referrals to another organization or to the Court’s Self-Help Center (Santa Clara Superior Court)

4) Step-by-step: get protection fast

1. Immediate danger? Call or text 911.

2. Call a local advocate:

   • Next Door Solutions 24/7 Hotline: (408) 279-2962. (Next Door Solutions)

   • YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley Hotline: (800) 572-2782. (DomesticShelters.org)

3. Start your DVRO forms: Use the Court’s Restraining Order Help Center or complete forms at home via the online Q&A tool. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

4. File & get a temporary order: File at the Family Justice Center Courthouse; ask about temporary (ex parte) protection. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

5. Get the order served: Request service through the Sheriff’s Civil Services or a registered process server. (Santa Clara County Sheriff)

6. Prepare for the hearing: Bring evidence and, if possible, get help from BayLegal, the Pro Bono Project, or a Family Justice Center advocate. (BayLegal)

7. Enforce/modify as needed: Report violations to law enforcement; ask the court to modify or extend orders. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

5) Self-help & court navigation

• Superior Court Self-Help / Family Law Facilitator: Free workshops, videos, and assistance for self-represented litigants. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Restraining Order Self-Help (all order types): Clear explanations of DVROs, criminal protective orders, and civil harassment orders. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Family Justice Center Courthouse information: Department listings and contact info for family law courtrooms. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Restraining Order resources page: Local crisis/shelter and related supports compiled by the Court. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

6) Hotlines & survivor supports

• Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (24/7): (408) 279-2962—crisis counseling, safety planning, legal advocacy, shelter referrals. (Next Door Solutions)

• YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley Hotline: (800) 572-2782—advocacy, Family Justice & legal services. (DomesticShelters.org)

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)—24/7 confidential support and safety planning. (The Hotline)

• Santa Clara County DA – Domestic Violence Unit / Family Justice Centers: Multi-disciplinary help and coordinated services. (Santa Clara County District Attorney)

7) Practical tips to work with legal aid (and stay safe)

• State urgency clearly (recent threats, children’s safety, upcoming court dates).

• Call multiple providers and request referrals if one is full.

• Ask for language access—most local providers can arrange interpreters. (Next Door Solutions)

• Use safe communications (alternate email/phone, private browsing).

• Pair legal steps with advocacy (Next Door Solutions, YWCA Family Justice services) for safety planning and court accompaniment. (Next Door Solutions)

8) Quick directory (save/share)

• Bay Area Legal Aid – Santa Clara County Office — 4 N. 2nd St., Suite 600, San Jose; Tel: (408) 283-3700. (BayLegal)

• Pro Bono Project Silicon Valley — volunteer attorney network for family/DV cases. (Pro Bono Project)

• Next Door Solutions — 24/7 hotline (408) 279-2962; crisis & legal advocacy. (Next Door Solutions)

• YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley – Family Justice & Legal Services — survivor-focused legal and advocacy services. (YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley)

• Santa Clara County Superior Court – Restraining Order Help Center & Self-Help — DVRO tools and workshops. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Family Justice Center Courthouse (San Jose) — family law/DV court location. (Santa Clara Superior Court)

• Sheriff’s Office – Civil Services (service of orders) — request restraining-order service. (Santa Clara County Sheriff)

Disclaimer

This guide provides general information for Santa Clara County and is not legal advice. Services, eligibility, and court procedures change—always confirm with the organization or court before acting.