Alcoholic Beverage License Applications
View the latest ABC license applications for alcohol sales at restaurants, bars and special events and learn how to submit a protest letter.
Administrative Citation Enforcement Program (ACE Program)
The City Attorney's non-criminal approach to nuisance abatement and quality of life offenses in coordination with LAPD and the Department of Animal Services, utilizing civil fines instead of arrests, incarceration and criminal records for those who violate L.A.'s Municipal Code. Information on street vending citations is available here, too.
Animal Protection Unit
This unit prosecutes animal abuse and neglect cases throughout the City of L.A., in partnership with the Department of Animal Services, the Humane Society, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and LAPD. To report abuse, call LA Department of Animal Services 888-452-7381. To report animal cruelty or neglect, contact your nearest shelter immediately. For pet adoptions, visit the Department of Animal Services.
Join our team of nearly 1,000 legal professionals and work with us. Check out opportunities for internships here, too.
Children Exposed to Violence and Gun Violence (CEV)
The first of its kind in the Nation, CEV within the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney is a trauma-informed unit that supports children from the time a violent crime is committed and is dedicated to reducing the impacts violence causes on children directly or indirectly.
Learn all about the City's claims process.
Community Law Corps (CLC)
Comprised of attorneys and legal professionals with years of experience in civil and criminal law, the CLC takes preventative and proactive measures to address a variety of issues that affect neighborhood quality of life and and establishes partnerships to resolve problems that enforcement alone cannot adequately address. You can contact the CLC with your concerns on this page.
COVID-19 Legal Assistance
LA Represents is an unprecedented legal assistance initiative to help thousands of Angelenos who are facing extreme hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes helping vulnerable tenants, domestic violence victims and low income individuals with employment, consumer debt, and bankruptcy matters.
Under the umbrella of the Outreach and Restorative Justice Division, this is the wide array of restorative justice programs offered by the City Attorney's Office. These revolutionary programs seek to address root causes of criminal behavior while achieving incarceration reduction through prevention, intervention and diversion.
The Dispute Resolution Program (DRP) offers free Community Mediation and Public Safety Mediation, services which are voluntary, confidential and completely free of charge. Mediation is a process in which a neutral third party facilitates communication between parties to resolve their disputes. Request mediation on this page and find out how to become a volunteer mediator.
Domestic Violence resources, support, and an overview of how misdemeanor domestic violence cases move through the criminal justice system. Computer use can be monitored. If you are afraid you're being monitored online, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. In an emergency, call or text 911.
Elder Abuse
Older adults are sometimes victimized by strangers, caretakers, or relatives. That’s why the City Attorney's Office works with LAPD to protect them and to aggressively target and prosecute those who would physically harm them. Any crime should be reported. In an emergency, call or text 911. If you have questions about elder abuse or need help anytime, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, contact the Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-877-477-3646.
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice is handled by attorneys in both the Public Rights Branch and the Criminal Branch and seeks to enforce state and city environmental protection statutes and ordinances. The broad range of environmental crimes addressed include the illegal disposal of hazardous waste and toxic materials, underground storage tank violations, storm-water pollution, oil spill incidents, noise and air pollution, and fish and wildlife violations. To report potential environmental protection violations, including illegal dumping, create a service request on MyLA311 or file a complaint with the California Environmental Protection Agency.
Gun Violence Restraining Orders / Red Flag Law
Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs) can temporarily remove guns for 21 days from someone in crisis and in danger of hurting themselves or others. Also known as an Extreme Risk Protection Order or the Red Flag law, a GVRO may be a crucial first step in preventing tragedy. To apply for a GVRO, go to the California Courts. Call or text 911 if you are in danger.
An overview of the City Attorney's numerous programs and initiatives helping people experiencing homelessness, plus helpful definitions and a detailed FAQ.
Legal Documents
Review legal documents, including settlement agreements that bind the City, as we aim to promote greater accountability and provide a better understanding of how the City Attorney’s Office serves its residents.
The Neighborhood Justice Program (NJP) aims to address root causes of criminal behavior, reduce recidivism, enhance community relations and promote public safety. NJP is a diversion program in which first-time offenders and other eligible individuals are given an opportunity to repair the harm they caused through a community-based process, instead of in a courtroom. It also invites community members to play active roles as volunteer panelists.
Nuisance Abatement
Attorneys in the Public Rights Branch abate nuisance properties plagued by gang, gun and narcotics activity, and when appropriate - prostitution activity - at hotels, motels, apartment buildings, single family homes, and businesses. Filing civil lawsuits against property owners, as well as against the individuals creating the nuisance, they seek to obtain injunctive relief to abate the issues and prevent them from spilling out into the surrounding neighborhood. Comprehensive physical and managerial improvements to the properties are often part of the injunctive relief sought.
The City of Los Angeles COVID-19 eviction protections for non-payment of rent have expired and this includes an overview of the changes.
Tobacco Enforcement Operations
The City Attorney's Tobacco Enforcement Operations (TEO) unit develops citywide tobacco-control policies and enforces tobacco-related laws. In addition to issuing Tobacco Permits to more than 4,000 tobacco retailers, this unit advances numerous initiatives to decrease youth access to tobacco products. Learn about the ban on retail sales of flavored tobacco here, too.
The latest from Los Angeles City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto.
Individuals seeking a U visa, as well as attorneys and pro per petitioners, can learn about the U visa application process.
Victim Assistance Program (VAP)
VAP was created to protect the rights of victims while providing services that meet the unique needs of those impacted by crime. Funded by several grants, VAP assists victims and family members recover from trauma suffered due to crime, while increasing the victim/witness' active participation in the adjudication of an offense.