Central California Legal Services (Fresno Office) - Fresno, California

Spencer C.

Awesome customer service friendly professional courteous thoughtful understanding great clean atmosphere ****selections

Angel

Sent me to the courthouse and they said they didnt have a department which CCLS referred me too CCLS didnt help for nothing i cant seem to find free legal advice someone leas me to the direction thanks

Georgiana O.

Say they'll help you but only with the basics so they can get paid and they never provide lawyers even though everyone including the judge will send you there to get one.

Anonymous

Spoke to Sylvia on 3/26/24. Explained the situation to her. She requested that we call the toll free number next day and speak with a legal representative.

Called today 3/27/24. Spoke to a young gal who took some information and then asked I call again after lunch. This was around 1130sm.

At 1:20pm I called again. Spoke to another female rep. She spoke to my mother who’s trying to seek legal tenant/ landlord advice. The call was transferred. Javier takes the call. My mother who is 70 isn’t as detailed as she should be. So I take over and explain that my mother has experienced harassment, intimidation, verbal and psychological abuse and was told she will need to move.

Javier refers my mother to the California Civil Rights Department. No legal advice was offered, nothing. The agency he referred us to has very poor ratings. Practically every review stated that CCRD did nothing for them. In fact they do not give legal advice either.

When a tenant is experiencing intimidation, threats, coercion, verbal abuse from the landlord, there should be legal avenues/ recourse for the tenant. How is it that tenants have rights but are unable to obtain that information to protect and defend themselves?

May as well just hope for the best or RUN!!

Nichole M.

Haven’t been there yet but I’m planning on it.

Carrie R.

These are amazing people! So helpful and knowledgeable! They really helped me with my situation without them I was clueless! I highly recommend them to anyone in need of legal advice! **UPDATE** I just recently recommended Central California Legal Services to a neighbor that was having some eviction issues and they couldn’t thank me enough…. They shared with me that they were absolutely amazed by the quickness they were able to receive help!!! It’s nice to know they are still on their A game!!!

Sam S.

Second edit: my case got dismissed because my paralegal failed to inform me of any dates, paperwork, and failed to make arrangements, communicate, or otherwise. Now all of the trauma I suffered was for nothing and my DVRO was dismissed and can’t be reissued.

Edit: it’s a while later. I don’t get phone calls or texts or updates. My calls and texts go unanswered and whenever I call for help, they said “we can’t help you” or “we don’t do that”. You’re better off hiring a lawyer cause at least they’ll continue to help you and your case. CCLS will leave you on read like that toxic ex.

While it does take them a very long time to process your information and call you back, it’s absolutely worth it. Their team is so supportive, very efficient, and so understanding. I got Lydia Velazco to help me with my situation, and I couldn’t have been happier with the way it went. She’s been there to help me every step of the way and was very supportive. Thank you.

Paisley

These people are awesome, this is where you will get help finding justice.This review is based off my experience which was over a year ago:
I lived in a slummy apartment in Clovis California. I had mold issues from our HVAC system from 2014 to 2021. It was never remedied. Landlords would change, work orders would disappear from my file. I was an essential worker during the pandemic and ended up sick. Part of my recovery included not being able to stay home because of the mold and management fighting with me about it. Long story short my upstairs neighbor's water heater broke and flooded my apartment. I was out of town. Landlord never even told me. A day later I come home to that and I even had a cat that was left inside that flood.

Central California Legal Services advised me of my rights and responsibilities. I ended up homeless with kids and a cat because of that complex. I fought them in court all on my own while they bought their whole complex staff. Had my proof in order and I won. I had my proof but CCLS helped me do things right. Thank you for helping my family!!

As a side note, they cover the Fresno area. Clovis doesn't have code inforcement, you have to have a building inspector come out. I wasted time to find that out which is why I'm sharing about building inspectors. No one is going to tell you that, outright.
Madera county is a different agency and a horrible one at that.

Good luck, if you're going through it, don't give up!! THERE IS HOPE IN CALIFORNIA and it starts with people being educated and informed so they can in turn advocate for themselves and others. That's what CCLS does gives you back your power.