Less than eight months after its grand opening, the free Self-Help Legal Access Center at the Long Beach Courthouse will soon benefit from new and expanded services. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved additional funding for the facility today which will be used to pay for additional staff, including lawyers, paralegals and support staff.
The Center is part of a larger public outreach project undertaken by County leaders to improve access to justice for all members of the community. The Center’s staff can assist the public in completing legal forms, offer legal options and provide information that helps the public understand court rules and procedures.
The Long Beach Center is joined by four other existing Legal Access Centers at other Courthouses throughout the County. Since the first facility opened in the Van Nuys Courthouse in 2000, the centers have combined to serve over 100,000 Los Angeles County residents. All residents of Los Angeles County with business at the Long Beach Superior Courthouse are eligible to access the Self-Help Legal Center, regardless of income.