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Find a Lawyer in Compton

Free Legal Resources for Los Angeles County Residents

🎤 Hip Hop
Historic
🏠 Urban
Sergei Tokmakov, Esq. · Updated February 2026
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97K
Population
⚖️
200+
Attorneys
🏛️
1
Courthouses
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#82
CA City Size

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What's Your Legal Issue?

🏗️ Workers Compensation Assessment 🏠 Landlord-Tenant Assessment 🚗 Car Accident Assessment 🩹 Personal Injury Assessment 💰 Unpaid Wages Assessment 🚔 DUI Assessment
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Employment Law

Wrongful termination, wage theft, and workplace discrimination claims in Compton's warehousing sector and beyond. California labor protections are among the strongest in the nation.

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Criminal Defense

Criminal defense for misdemeanor and felony charges in Compton. DUI, theft, assault, and drug charges — protect your rights with an experienced local defense attorney.

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Personal Injury

Car accidents on I-710, SR-91, slip-and-fall incidents at local businesses, and pedestrian injuries in Compton. If you've been hurt near Compton Courthouse, know your rights.

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Family Law

Divorce, child custody, and support cases in Compton. Navigating family court can be complex — get help understanding your rights and options in this community.

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Real Estate & Landlord-Tenant

Landlord-tenant disputes, security deposit claims, and real estate transactions in Compton. No local rent control — AB 1482 applies to qualifying buildings. Use our free demand letter generator for deposit disputes.

📝 Generate a Free Demand Letter

Create a professional legal demand letter for common Compton legal issues.

🏛️ Compton Courthouses

LA Superior Court

111 N Hill St, Los Angeles 90012

Civil Criminal Family

Los Angeles County Court Filing Quick Reference

Small Claims Filing Fee
$30 - $75
$30 (up to $1,500) / $50 ($1,500-$5,000) / $75 ($5,001-$12,500)
Small Claims Limit
$12,500
Individual limit · $6,250 for businesses
Civil Filing Fee
$435
Unlimited civil (over $35K) / Fee waivers available
E-Filing
Available
Court Hours
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday – Friday · Closed state holidays
Self-Help Center
Free Walk-In

Local Court Tips for Compton

Self-Help Center Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (Compton Courthouse, 200 W Compton Blvd)

Busiest Days: Monday and Tuesday mornings are extremely crowded; arrive by 7:30 AM for parking

LA Superior Court offers free mediation for small claims at the Compton courthouse. Community mediation also available through local legal aid organizations.

Local Rule: Compton Courthouse handles criminal, family, and civil cases for the South LA area. Complex civil cases transferred to the Stanley Mosk Courthouse downtown.

Free Legal Resources

📊 Compton Legal Landscape

🚢 Logistics & Distribution

Hub City warehousing, logistics, and distribution drive Compton's economy. Workplace injuries, trucking accidents, and employment disputes are common.

🚗 Traffic & Commuting

I-710 corridors including I-710, SR-91 serve Compton. Car accidents, commuter injuries, and road-rage incidents generate significant personal injury claims.

🏠 Housing Market

AB 1482 Compton is covered by California's statewide AB 1482 tenant protections. Landlord-tenant disputes, security deposits, and eviction defense are common.

👥 Community Growth

Active Compton continues to grow and diversify. Family law, consumer protection, and neighborhood disputes are common legal needs.

📜 Compton Local Laws & Ordinances

City-specific regulations beyond California state law that affect Compton residents.

Compton Residential Rental Property Ordinance

Requires registration of all rental properties and periodic health and safety inspections. Landlords must maintain units in habitable condition. Non-compliance fines start at $500 per violation.

Compton Cannabis Social Equity Program

Prioritizes cannabis business licenses for applicants from communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement. Social equity applicants receive fee reductions and technical assistance.

Compton Anti-Displacement Ordinance

Provides tenant protections against displacement from redevelopment projects. Requires relocation assistance for displaced tenants and right of first return when new units become available.

📋 Common Compton Legal Cases

Real-world legal scenarios frequently seen in the Compton area.

Industrial Warehouse Worker Crush Injury

A warehouse worker in Compton's industrial corridor was trapped between a loading dock and a delivery truck due to inadequate safety procedures. The worker suffered spinal cord compression requiring emergency surgery.

Typical outcome: $100,000-$500,000 range

Unlawful Eviction and Displacement

A longtime Compton tenant was illegally locked out by a new property owner who purchased the building for redevelopment. The owner failed to provide required relocation assistance or proper notice.

Typical outcome: $10,000-$50,000 range

Rosecrans Avenue Hit-and-Run

A pedestrian was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Rosecrans Avenue. The victim suffered a broken hip and multiple contusions. Police identified the driver through surveillance footage, but the driver was uninsured.

Typical outcome: $50,000-$200,000 range

🗺️ Compton Neighborhoods & Legal Issues

Different areas of Compton face distinct legal challenges.

Downtown Compton / Civic Center

Redevelopment displacement disputes, commercial revitalization conflicts, small business licensing

East Compton / Willowbrook Border

Industrial workplace injuries, environmental contamination from former industrial sites, tenant habitability

West Compton

Residential landlord-tenant disputes, property crime defense, family law matters

North Compton / Compton Creek

Flood zone property issues, auto accidents on Alameda Street, wage theft in small businesses

📅 Seasonal Legal Issues in Compton

Legal issues in Compton that follow seasonal patterns.

Summer (Jun-Aug)

Warehouse and outdoor worker heat illness claims increase. Traffic accidents on Rosecrans and Long Beach Blvd rise with summer activity.

Winter (Dec-Mar)

Rainy season floods low-lying areas near Compton Creek, causing property damage and habitability complaints in older rental housing.

Spring (Mar-May)

Redevelopment project announcements trigger displacement concerns, tenant rights inquiries, and relocation assistance disputes.

📊 Compton Area Typical Legal Outcomes

Approximate ranges based on Los Angeles County court data. Every case is unique.

Warehouse Worker Injury
$75,000-$400,000
Industrial corridor workplace cases
Auto Accident (PI)
$25,000-$150,000
Rosecrans and Long Beach Blvd
Wrongful Eviction
$10,000-$50,000
Displacement and lockout cases
Security Deposit Recovery
$800-$3,000
Affordable housing market

Disclaimer: These ranges are illustrative estimates. Actual outcomes depend on case specifics. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

🆓 Free Legal Help in Compton

Several organizations provide free legal services to Compton residents who meet income requirements.

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA)

125% FPL The largest direct legal services provider in Los Angeles County, offering free civil legal assistance to low-income residents in housing disputes, government benefits, and family law matters.

Bet Tzedek Legal Services

200% FPL Provides free legal services to low-income people in Los Angeles with a focus on elder abuse, employment rights, housing conditions, and debt relief.

Public Counsel

200% FPL The nation's largest pro bono law firm, mobilizing thousands of volunteer attorneys to deliver free legal services to low-income communities across Los Angeles.

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLSLA)

125% FPL Provides free legal assistance to residents in the San Fernando Valley, Antelope Valley, and surrounding communities on housing, benefits, and consumer issues.

2026 Federal Poverty Level: $33,000 for family of 4. 125% FPL = $41,250 · 200% FPL = $66,000. Fee waiver forms available for court filing costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Personal injury: Contingency (25-40% of settlement) — you pay nothing upfront.
Family law: $350-$700/hour. Uncontested divorce: $3,000-$10,000.
Criminal defense: Misdemeanor: $3,000-$10,000. Felony: $10,000-$50,000.
Business law: $300-$600/hour.
Real estate: $300-$600/hour for transactions.

Compton rates are typical for the LA Metro market. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations.
Historically Black community, hip-hop culture hub: Compton's character as historically black community, hip-hop culture hub shapes the types of legal issues residents face.

Key industries (warehousing, logistics, manufacturing): These sectors generate employment disputes, business litigation, and regulatory compliance issues.

Major corridors (I-710, SR-91): High traffic volume on these routes leads to frequent car accident and personal injury claims.

Local landmarks: Areas near Compton Courthouse see premises liability, commercial disputes, and visitor-related legal issues.
Handle yourself:
• Small claims under $12,500
• Security deposit disputes (use our demand letter generator)
• Simple consumer refund demands
• Traffic tickets
• Uncontested divorce with no kids or major assets

Hire a lawyer:
• Any criminal charges
• Serious injuries (medical bills over $5,000)
• Child custody battles
• Employment discrimination or wrongful termination
• Complex employment discrimination matters
• Real estate transactions over $500K

Take our free assessment to find out if you need an attorney.
1. Bar referral: Los Angeles County Bar Association Referral Service for vetted attorney matches.

2. Verify license: California State Bar website to check discipline history.

3. Legal aid: Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) for income-qualified residents.

4. Interview attorneys: Most Compton lawyers offer free initial consultations. Meet 2-3 before deciding.

5. Check reviews: Look at Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, and Google reviews for Compton-area attorneys.
No local rent control.

Compton does not have its own rent control ordinance. However, California's statewide AB 1482 (Tenant Protection Act) applies to qualifying properties:
• Covers buildings 15+ years old with 2+ units
• Rent increases capped at 5% + local CPI (max 10%) per year
• Requires just cause for eviction

Exempt: Single-family homes (unless owned by a corporation), condos, buildings less than 15 years old, owner-occupied duplexes.

For security deposit disputes, use our demand letter generator.
LA Superior Court (111 N Hill St, Los Angeles 90012) handles Civil, Criminal, Family. Phone: (213) 830-0803.

Use the Court Self-Help Center for filing guidance and forms.

🤔 DIY or Hire a Lawyer?

Use this quick guide to decide whether you can handle your Compton legal issue yourself or need professional representation.

Handle It Yourself

  • Small claims under $12,500
  • Security deposit demands
  • Simple consumer refund disputes
  • Traffic tickets
  • Uncontested divorce (no kids or major assets)
  • Basic contract disagreements
  • Rent increase disputes under AB 1482
  • Filing wage claims with the Labor Commissioner

Hire a Lawyer

  • Any criminal charges
  • Serious injuries (medical bills over $5,000)
  • Child custody battles
  • Employment discrimination or wrongful termination
  • Real estate transactions over $500K
  • Complex business disputes
  • Police misconduct and civil rights claims
  • Contested divorce with significant assets

Not sure? Take our free 2-minute assessment →

📚 Legal Resources for Compton Residents

More free tools and guides from Terms.Law for Compton residents.

Free Legal Calculators

Free tools relevant to common Compton legal issues:

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Security Deposit

Interest & penalty calculator

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Eviction Timeline

How long will it take?

Statute of Limitations

Filing deadline by case type

Other California Cities

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