I have brought this question here to Y!A a couple of times before but apparently no one knows any more than I do. So from making at least ten calls per day to anywhere and everywhere (working in the dark here with no clue where to go), I have, at least, learned a *little* more than I knew the last time I came here...

The story is, I have been renting two of my bedrooms for some time now on a month-to-month basis. People move in, they moved out, never a problem. Six months ago, I mistakenly rented to the devil incarnate (at least thats my description of her). No, I do not have a written contract/ agreement with her but, according to the state of California, an oral agreement is still legal and binding even though I don't even think she has any rent receipts. The woman is on drugs (a violation of the agreement) but none of this is provable. She's got a warrant out for her in a local city, but the police won't come after her because, apparently, the warrant isn't important enough (I don't understand the point of even having one if thats the case). I've been told to get a 30 day notice, but I've phoned the county clerk who sent me to the superior court who told me I need to call a lawyer. I cannot afford a lawyer. And before you mention legal aide, let me tell you that they want me to not only schedule a 30 minute consultation for $30 dollars (that I swear to God I'm so broke I would have to borrow) AND I would have to have someone come and set with my invalid mother while I went, but they cannot get me an appointment until August. This person lied to gain access and has no intention of going anywhere. She saw a bad situation and took advantage of it. She doesn't have an income so I'm not getting my bills paid, I have no food (I'm having to try and find a brown bag place while this tenant gets food stamps and knows I'm scratching without an income from that room) and she won't leave so I can't rent the room. And in the meantime, she's in my face, screaming at me, mentally and emotionally battering to the point of having an emotional breakdown. I've called the police. They won't do anything about her warrant and they won't do anything about her screaming unless they actually hear it for themselves and if I get on the phone, she shuts up...since I've basically given up my life to care for my totally dependent mom, I don't have any friends who come over and no relatives locally so I'm pretty much alone. All I need to know is how to get this person the HELL out of my house? She knows I can't afford the legal fees and she's bluffed her way right up to the bitter end, in my face, "So where's my notice, huh?" I keep telling her I'm going to get it and I fully intend to - once I find out how. This is a small house (956 sq ft). She is *not* on the original rental agreement. She doesn't have anything in writing.

What I need is someone who is knowledgeable about the eviction process in Contra Costa County, California. It seems to be a little different here than the suggestions I've taken before from this forum and the things I've found on the internet. The specific laws seem to change from city to city, in fact.

Someone *please* give me some kind of advice before I lose my mind & my life, literally...

Thank you.