CourtMobile

Superior Court of California County of Santa Clara - 030172

Abstract Number: 030172

January 2004

Santa Clara County Superior Court's Self Service Center implemented the CourtMobile project to provide outreach and legal information to self represented litigants in Santa Clara County. It is one of the Court's five legal Self-Service Centers. CourtMobile is a wheelchair accessible van that travels to community locations where customers live and frequent throughout Santa Clara County. CourtMobile staff members provide court forms and legal information packets that provide information on how to resolve legal problems in all areas of the law heard in Superior Court including, but not limited to, civil, family law, small claims, guardianship and unlawful detainer cases. Staff members also help litigants complete fee waiver applications and approved local and Judicial Council forms. Staff members provide a range of other services: interviewing customers to determine what legal issues they have, educating them about their options, assisting customers in filling out legal forms, reviewing completed legal forms prior to filing, and educating customers about court rules. In the event that CourtMobile staff cannot help a customer, they are referred to other legal resources or legal services providers. When available, a Spanish speaking court clerk or a volunteer interpreter travels to locations with CourtMobile to help assist litigants that are largely monolingual Spanish-speaking. CourtMobile also supports four wireless internet enabled laptops and a printer that enable customers to access legal information online from the Self Service Center's website at: http://www.scselfservice.org/, California's Self Center at: http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp/, http://www.sccaseinfo.org/ and other online legal resources. CourtMobile also has a television and VCR that allows users to watch videos on relevant legal topics. CourtMobile is a free service and has no income eligibility requirements.

CourtMobile is staffed by an attorney, a clerk and, when available, volunteers. A Sheriff's Deputy drives the CourtMobile and remains with staff while working in the field to ensure staff and customer safety. CourtMobile's outreach schedule rotates each week and also includes days in which staff members can experiment with new outreach locations. To learn more about this project, visit CourtMobile's website at: http://www.scselfservice.org/home/courtmobile.htm.

Contact Information:

Leigh Parsons
Supervising Attorney
Self-Service Center
Superior Court, Santa Clara County
191 N. First St.
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 882-2918
Fax: (408) 882-2992
Email

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