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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:

  • Domestic Violence Restraining Orders (non-immediate family members)

  • Civil Harassment Restraining Orders (non-sexual offenders, Elder Abuse and Workplace Violence

  • Guardianship Petitions

  • Visitation Petitions for Grandparents

  • Name Changes

  • Adoptions

  • 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.

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 and Willits.  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.  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.  


Fort Bragg and Willits Clinics

Two Fridays each month, the SHLA Center Project Attorney runs a limited self-help clinic in Fort Bragg and Willits.  Though the schedule is subject to change, generally, the second Friday of each month, the SHLA center is in Ft. Bragg and the fourth Friday of each month the SHLA center is in Willits.  The Ft. Bragg clinic is located at the Ten Mile branch Courthouse inside the law library.  The Willits clinic is located inside the courtroom in the Willits Justice Center.  Both clinics operate 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 Clinics:  (Click on link for more information)
Fort Bragg - Friday, May 9, 2008
Willits - Friday, May 23, 2008

Small Claims Advisor

For small claims information, you may 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 Family Law Facilitator is available for first-come first serve walk in consultations Monday through Thursday from 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm.  The Family Law Facilitator assists parents and all other parties who have questions about family law issues, including child support, spousal support, health insurance, and the availability of community resources to help families.  Their office can be reached at (707) 463-5666.


Domestic Violence

Domestic Violence is a serious issue and you have options to protect yourself.  Our office offers restraining assistance at any time during office open hours.

Project Sanctuary began in the fall of 1977 in response to the need for emergency shelter and support for women who were being abused by their husbands and living partners. In the fall of 1980, a Rape Crisis Service was added to provide emergency response and counseling to survivors of sexual assault. In 1991, Project Sanctuary established an office in Fort Bragg serving sexual assault and domestic violence clients along the Mendocino Coast.


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!

 

How can we help?  If you have business at the Courthouse and require accommodations because of a disability, or need the assistance of an interpreter or assisted-listening device, please contact the court in advance. Click here for more information on access to the Court.

Please direct comments regarding this website to the Superior Court Webmaster
Copyright
2005 Superior Court of Mendocino County    All rights reserved      Last Updated: April 25, 2008