Thank you for reaching out to the Santa Monica City Attorney’s
Office. Unfortunately, the Office is not able to provide private residents
legal advice or represent members of the public in legal matters. Per the Santa
Monica City Charter, the City Attorney’s Office represents and advises the City
Council and all City officials pertaining to their official duties. The City
Attorney’s Office also prosecutes criminal cases against those accused of
committing state and local misdemeanor offenses. The City Attorney’s Office
also defends the City, City employees, and Councilmembers in civil lawsuits.
The advice provided to the City Council and City officials is confidential and
attorney-client privileged, and will not be shared with the public, absent
official direction from the Council to do so. The City prosecutors are legally
bound to exercise prosecutorial discretion in determining which criminal cases
to file, and typically will not discuss such matters with members of the
public, outside an official investigation.
Generally, the City Attorney’s Office does not meet with members
of the public to discuss legal matters pertaining to current litigation,
involving criminal defendants, or potential lawsuits involving the City.
Here are some resources that may be able to answer your
questions:
1.
If you believe you are the victim of a crime or witness to a crime
that took place in Santa Monica, contact the Santa Monica Police Department at
the non-emergency number (310) 458-8491, or call 911 if it is an emergency.
Additionally, you may contact the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department at
(310) 482-6000 or the Federal Bureau of Investigation at (310) 477-6565. Nearly
all criminal investigations must first begin with someone making a police
report.
2.
If you believe you have a claim against the City, you may file a
claim form with the City’s Risk Department. A copy of the claim form as well as
information about the claims process is available on the City’s website: Claim Form.
3.
If you believe a residential landlord is violating the law with
respect to your tenancy or a tenancy you sought and were denied and the unit is
subject to the City’s rent control laws, you may contact the Consumer
Protection Unit of the City Attorney’s Office through our 311 resource at (866)
311-7266. For FAQs for the Unit please see the link Consumer FAQ or the City’s Rent Control
Board at Rent Control.
4.
If you would like to report substandard building conditions or
nuisance activity concerning a property located in Santa Monica, you may
contact the City’s Code Enforcement Department at (310) 458-4984 to initiate a
complaint. The Los Angeles Health Department phone number is (310) 410-3400;
complaint form: LA Health Dept Complaint.
5.
If you have concerns about Santa Monica Police Department conduct,
you may file a complaint with the Police Department’s Internal Affairs at (310)
458-8480 or Complaint SMPD.
6.
If you have a private dispute with a neighbor or another member of
the community, you may have available a civil remedy, which you may pursue
yourself or with the assistance of a private attorney. The Los Angeles County
Bar Association has an attorney referral service at Attorney Referrals. The Los Angeles Legal Aid
Foundation also provides attorney referrals at (310) 899-6200, website: LAFLA.
7.
If you have a concern about a violation of State law regarding
elections, conflicts of interest, or gift reporting, you may contact the Fair
Political Practices Commission at FPPC or the Los Angeles County District Attorney at
LA
District Atty.
