Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get free legal advice from the County Counsel?
A: No. The County Counsel provides legal advice to the Board of Supervisors, elected officials, and County employees for matters related to the operation and management of the County government. The County Counsel and other attorneys in the office cannot provide legal advice to members of the public.
If you need a lawyer and do not have one, you can call the Lawyer Reference Panel operated by the Contra Costa County Bar Association, at (925) 825-5700.
Q: I have suffered a personal injury or property damage that I believe was caused by the County or one of its employees. How do I go about collecting for my damages?
A: Claims for money are made by submitting a claim form to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, located at Room 106, the County Administration Building, 651 Pine Street, Martinez, California 94553. No particular claim form is required, but state law requires that certain information be included in the claim. The law regarding claims against public entities is complicated and has relatively short deadlines. You should seek the services of an attorney for your own protection, and you should present your claim without delay.
Q: Can I talk with Silvano Marchesi? I think he is the person working on my matter.
A: Mr. Marchesi is the County Counsel, and his name appears on almost all correspondence and case pleadings. However, the person most familiar with your matter usually is the person who signed the document. His or her name appears in court documents above Mr. Marchesi’s name at the top of the first page, and again on the signature line on the last page. If you need to speak to someone in the County Counsel’s Office, you should contact that person, whose telephone number usually is listed.