Legal self-help assistance available during COVID-19 concerns; how to reach them

Amid COVID-19 business closures, free legal assistance is still available for basic needs. As the courts are still open, Legal Services of Northern California, Placer County Superior Court and Placer County Law Library are now offering remote legal self-help assistance via phone, email or video conferencing to ensure individuals are able to find and receive the legal help they need during the shelter-in-place directive. "The people who need this help no longer can find it and consequently can lose important legal rights due to lack of action," said Diane Huijgen, Placer County Law Librarian. "We're trying to get the word out that there is help." According to Huijgen, requests for restraining orders are still being filed, family law disputes are still happening, collection lawsuits are being served and individuals are still being evicted. These entities are able to provide legal assistance to individuals who are of low income or do not have lawyers, and individuals who plan to represent themselves with small claims, evictions, harassment, domestic violence, elder abuse and name changes. Additionally, these entities are able to assist by providing legal forms, helping individuals fill out legal forms, and providing guides to assist with completing the forms. With the remote services, these entities will also be able to review completed forms to ensure they are filled out correctly. "It's not the time to do it wrong and have it rejected," Huijgen said. "It's better it goes in right the first time." This assistance is available every day and free to the public. According to Huijgen, they would like to help anyone who has been put in one of these situations and is at risk during the stay-at-home directive. "To the extent we can help them, we will and we can," Huijgen said. Legal Services of Northern California staff members can be reached at 530-823-7560, where you can leave a message regarding your case and someone will get back to you. For a quicker response, email legalselfhelp19@gmail.com. Information on services offered by the Placer County Superior Court Self-Help Center can be found at www.placer.courts.ca.gov/self-help-lhc.shtml. The Self-Help Center is also providing assistance through phone or video appointments. To schedule an appointment, visit http://appt.placercourts.org:8483/WebAppointments/ApointmentService and select "Appointment Legal Self-Help." The Placer County Law Library can be reached for remote legal assistance at 530-537-2078 or pcllselfhelp@gmail.com from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.