Law
Bankruptcy
The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 represents a major reform of the US bankruptcy system. Changes instituted by this law took effect on October 17, 2005.
Nolo - Information about the new bankruptcy law from Nolo, publisher of many legal self-help books
FindLaw - Overview of the new law from Findlaw. Includes a checklist of key changes.
United States Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of California (includes Fresno County). Includes an online "self-service center" with information about forms, procedures and fees.
Forms
Common forms - from Fresno County Superior Court. Includes links to forms used state-wide and local county forms. Many of the forms can be filled in online and then printed. Some may have to be printed first, then filled in on a typewriter or by hand. Only blank forms may be saved to disk or other removable device.
How to Find the Forms for Your Case - from the Judicial Council of California.
Form help
Form packets with instructions - "Through a grant provided by the Judicial Council, Administrative Office of the Courts, Fresno Superior Court developed packets of simple written self-help instructions in English and Spanish for: Civil Harassment, Guardianship, Family Law, and Unlawful Detainer court forms."
On these next two sites answers to a series of questions are used to fill-in legal forms. The software figures out what forms are required. Only a limited number of legal situations are covered and how well these sites work on library internet stations is uncertain. It may be impossible to finish in half an hour or even an hour. Report problems to frweb** fresnolibrary.org (replace ** with @ to send email)
EZ Legal File is an interactive program that will help you fill out the forms necessary to request or respond to papers for a variety of legal issues." Legal papers are available for family law (marriage, divorce, custody, support, etc.), small claims, evictions, and guardianship. Copyright: Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo.
Legal self-help information
Represent Yourself - from the Fresno County Superior Court website. The subcategories are Civil Limited, Civil Unlimited, Domestic Violence, Family, Juvenile, Probate, Small Claims, Traffic, Spanish Self-Help Center, Links, and Case Information. Some are quite brief.
California Courts Self-Help Center - English and some Spanish. Find legal assistance, learn about California law, work better with an attorney, represent yourself in some legal matters. Includes legal forms and where to find free and low-cost legal help, bar associations, and mediators. Especially helpful is the collection of research resources at the top of the links section.
Central California Legal Services is a non-profit law firm providing free legal assistance to low income families and individuals in the following counties: Fresno, Kings, Mariposa, Merced, Tulare, and Tuolumne. Fact sheets on various legal topics.
Council of California County Law Librarians. Includes Self-help, and Legal Research, sections.
LawHelpCalifornia is a joint project of California Indian Legal Services and Public Interest Clearinghouse. Provides a directory to information about civil law issues in California such as housing, immigration, and civil rights. Also includes a legal services provider referral directory.State Bar of California: Public Services - find forms and pamphlets for basic legal processes such as small claims court and buying a house. Includes a simple fill-in-the-blank will form for people with relatively small estates. Also provides instructions for locating attorneys and pursuing a complaint against an attorney.
FindLaw for the Public - long list of topics from the Findlaw website. Information is not specific to California.
Libraries
Fresno County Public Law Library
Local courts and codes
Fresno
County Ordinance Code
Clovis
City Municipal Code
Fresno
City Municipal Code
Other California Municipal and County Codes and Ordinances - from Findlaw
State courts and codes
California Statutes, Regulations | Judicial Opinions | Courts - from Findlaw
2007 CA Building Code, Fire Code, & Energy Code from the International Code Council Online Library
Title 24 of the CA Code of Regulations
Contains the text of the CA Building, Fire, and Administrative Codes as well as others
Title 24, Part 6, of the California Code of Regulations - Energy Efficiency Standards
Federal courts and codes
Federal Statutes, Regulations, Judicial Opinions, and Courts - from Findlaw
