Legal Advice

The City Attorney's Office is prevented by law from answering legal questions or offering legal advice. If you need a lawyer, please contact the San Bernardino County Bar Association's Lawyer Referral Service at (909) 888-6791 or Inland Counties Legal Aid Services at (909) 884-8615.

Case Information

If you are a party in a case and are represented by an attorney, our office is prohibited from communicating directly or indirectly with you regarding your case. Please contact your attorney if you have questions regarding your case (California Rules of Professional Conduct 2-100). For all other inquiries regarding specific case information, please contact our office at (909) 384-5355 or by email at Attorney@sbcity.org.

The City Attorney's Office does not prosecute violations of the California Penal Code, California Vehicle Code, or violations of other state laws that have not been adopted by the City of San Bernardino Municipal Code. 

Reporting a Crime

If you wish to report a violation of state law, you should directly contact the appropriate police agency. The City Attorney's Office does not initiate reports. If the investigating agency concludes that charges should be filed, the case is referred to the appropriate agency for review.

About the City Attorney

Established by the City Charter, the City Attorney is elected to serve as the chief legal advisor for the City, and for all departments, boards, and commissions of the City.

Gary D. Saenz
Elected: November 5, 2013

Mr. Saenz is a life-long resident of San Bernardino; his family has lived in the City for over 100 years. He attended law school at UCLA, and became an attorney in 1978. Prior to his election, he was a general Civil Attorney in private practice, and specialized in Real Estate Law; however, he has since broadened his expertise to include Municipal Law.

His goals for the City are to play a vital role in helping to unite its many positive resources and residents. With Mayor, Council and City Attorney all working cohesively, it is his vision that San Bernardino will return to its "glory days."

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