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Self-Help Legal Access Center
of Mendocino County
Our normal hours are Monday thru
Thursday, noon to 4:00pm.
The SHLA
Center provides legal
assistance and legal information to self represented litigants.
The Center assists individuals to prepare their own legal forms and
understand court procedures.
Service for people who speak Spanish is also available via
the SHLA Center project attorney and resource material.
How we can help you
The Self-Help Legal Access Center helps with:
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Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
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Civil Harassment Restraining Orders including Elder Abuse and Workplace
Violence
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Guardianship Petitions
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Visitation Petitions for Grandparents
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Name Changes
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Adoptions
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Small Claims, including civil procedure, venue, statutes of limitations,
and other threshold questions. We also provide assistance with
filling out forms, filing documents, service of documents, subpoenas,
court hearing, appeals, and enforcement of judgment.
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Divorce/ Legal Separation/ Parentage
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Custody/ Visitation
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Some Civil Litigation
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Mediation & Alternative Dispute Resolution
We are unable to provide assistance with criminal cases, bankruptcy or
immigration, or unlawful detainer (eviction) cases.
Staff at the
SHLA
Center does not give legal
advice, but they can give answers to procedural questions such as which
forms you need to file, or what just happened at your legal proceeding.
They may also be able to give other agency referrals which may be
helpful.
We have packets of information and judicial forms available at the
Self-Help Center.
Videos, books and binders also provide useful legal information. We
also have a limited number of public access computers which directly link to
the Courts website, to judicial forms, and to EZ LEGAL FILE, Mendocino County's
new FREE interactive forms completion program.
Our services are provided on a walk in basis only.
NO appointment is needed.
For further information about the Self-Help
Center, click here to download our
Welcome Guide.
Where to find us
The SHLA center is located on the third floor of the Ukiah Courthouse, Room
304. Our hours of operation are Monday through Thursday afternoons,
from noon to 4:00pm. The Ukiah
center is closed on Fridays to allow for mobile clinic operations in Fort
Bragg. The SHLA Center
is also closed on Court holidays.
For directions to the Ukiah Courthouse,
click here.
Workshops
Workshops are held at the Ukiah SHLA Center Monday and Wednesday at 1:00 pm.,
upon request. Workshops may be requested simply by being at the
Self-Help Center or by sending an e-mail to
workshoprequest@mendocino.courts.ca.gov.
All workshops are presented by the SHLA Center Project Attorney, and are an
effective way to present all relevant information needed to guide your way
through a legal topic, while also ensuring that your own forms are filled
out correctly and are ready for filing.
Monday 1:00pm - Guardianship Process. You
will learn about both Emergency and Permanent guardianships, about the
stringent notice and investigation processes, and how and where to file your
legal forms.
Wednesday 1:00pm - Small Claims.
The prerequisites for filing a small claims matter will be discussed as well
as the procedures you will need to follow.
Substantive basics such as venue and statute of limitations or the
length of time since the injury you are allowed to bring suit will be
covered.
At each of these workshops you will also find time to
discuss individual questions and fill out your individual forms.
For this reason, you MUST arrive promptly at 1:00 pm to be admitted
to the workshop. Late arrivals
may be asked to return to the following weeks workshop.
Please also note that the SHLA center is still open to
assist walk-in clients during the workshop hours, and workshops may be
canceled without sufficient interest.
Fort Bragg Clinics
On the second Friday of each month, the SHLA Center Project Attorney
runs a limited self-help clinic in
Fort
Bragg at the Ten Mile branch Courthouse inside the
law library. The clinic operates from 10:00 am to noon and 1:00 pm
to 3:00 pm.
If possible, bring blank forms ready to be filled out, as
well as all relevant court documents and information.
Next Clinic: (Click on link for
more information)
Fort Bragg - Friday,
July 10, 2009
Small Claims Advisor
For
small claims information, you may visit the
Self-Help legal access center or also call the Mendocino County Small
Claims Advisor at (707) 462-2455 within
Mendocino
County, or (866) 820-8663
outside of Mendocino
County.
The advisor is available for telephone consultations only from 10:00 am to
noon Monday through Thursday.
Family Law Facilitator
The Self-Help Center now offers assistance
with divorce, legal separation, parentage, custody or visitation concerns.
The Family Law Facilitator's office inside the Mendocino County Superior
Court also assists parents with these family law issues as well all
other concerns such as child support, spousal support, health
insurance, and the availability of community resources to help families. The
Family Law Facilitator is available for first-come first serve walk in
consultations Monday through Thursday from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.
Their office can be reached at (707) 463-5666.
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence is a serious issue
and you have options to protect yourself.
IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE
DANGER, CALL 911. The
Self-Help Legal Access center offers
restraining
assistance at any time during office open hours
from noon to four pm Monday through Thursday.
During hours that the our
office is closed a law enforcement officer may obtain
for you an Emergency Protective Order which lasts from 5 to 7 days
or you may choose to visit Ukiah's domestic violence center Project
Sanctuary for assistance filing
papers to obtain a Temporary Protective Order. Project
Sanctuary may also provide you with counseling, emergency
shelter, help with getting your restraining order, or someone to accompany
you to court.
Project
Sanctuary:
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Inland Office
564 South Dora Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 462-9196
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Coastal Office
461 North Franklin Street
Fort Bragg, CA 95437
(707) 961-1507
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If you
are not in immediate danger but need protection, you can apply at Court for
a temporary restraining order.
When there has been physical or emotional
abuse, threats, stalking, harassment, or other acts of violence,
or you have good basis for fearing that this may occur you may apply
to the Court for an order restraining a person from all contact with you,
your children, and other family members; from living in the residence; and
to stay away from you, your home, your vehicle, your residence, and the
children's school and/or place child care.
For more information
regarding the restraining order legal process please
click here.
Other Self-Help Resources
Click here for links to other helpful
websites and resources for the self-represented litigant.
Volunteer Placement Opportunities
If you are an individual who wishes to learn more
about the Justice System, and at the same time make a significant
contribution to your community, we invite you to check out the available
Volunteer Placement
Opportunities that best match your area of interest and personal needs.
If you are interested in one or more of the following volunteer
opportunities, please fill out the
Volunteer
Questionnaire (PDF File) which is available by clicking on the
hi-lighted links. Please fax or mail the completed form to:
Superior Court of
California, County of Mendocino
Volunteer Coordinator
100 North State Street, Room 303
Ukiah, CA
95482
Fax number (707) 468-3459.
If you have any questions please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (707)
468-2026
Public Survey
The SHLA Center is here to serve the public. Providing increased
access to justice is our top priority and YOU can best tell us how to
serve you.
Please take a minute to fill out this simple survey and help us to help
you. Click here for
the survey.
You may return your completed survey either in person or by mail to:
Self-Help Legal Access Center
Ukiah Courthouse, Room 304
100 North State Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
Thank you!
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