COURT SERVICES
Funding by Superior Court of Sacramento Couinty offers the Human Rights/Fair Housing Commission the opportunity to provide the following free services located at
The Carol Miller Justice Center, 301 Bicentennial Circle, Suite 330, Sacramento, CA
click on the link below for more info:
Small Claims Advisory Clinic and Mediation Service:
Small Claims Court is a special court where disputes may be resolved in a quick and relatively inexpensive manner. The rules are simple to follow, attorneys are not allowed to represent either the complainant or the defendant. Anyone can sue in Small Claims Court, but claims are limited to $7,500. Most people use Small Claims Court to recover a monetary loss for a variety of issues.
The Advisory Clinic allows you the opportunity to meet with an attorney or legal intern to discuss your claim and seek information on the filing process.
The Mediation Service is an alternative form of dispute resolution that can be very effective in helping Small Claims litigants reach settlements to their disputes. In a mediation session, a mediator meets with you and the other party and helps you gain a deeper understanding of your conflict and create your own solution to the dispute. Mediators are provided by the Human Rights/ Fair Housing Commission. The mediators are attorneys and law students who are specially trained in conflict resolution and mediation. Meditation services are offered free of charge to small claims litigants.
Unlawful Detainer Advisory Clinic and Mediation Service:
An "Unlawful Detainer" is the legal term for an eviction.
The Advisory Clinic does not represent landlords or tenants in court. The Advisory Clinic will assist landlords and tenants with forms, fee waivers, subpoenas, Writ of Possession, Stay of Execution, default judgments, etc.
The Unlawful Detainer mediation service is offered pre-trial and and also the day of the trial. Mediation is not a court trial and both parties must agree to participate. If an agreement is reached the mediator will write it out and the judge will sign it. The agreement becomes an order and will be entered into the court record. Both sides are bound by what has been written and agreed to.
The advantage to the tenant, if the case is settled, would be that a judgment would not be entered against them which could damage their credit hisotry, and negotiating a payment plan may mean the rent can be paid over a reasonable period of time.
The advantage to the landlord is that he may receive the property back sooner, a negotiated payment plan makes it more likely the rent owed will be paid and it lessens attorney fees and court costs by a quicker resolution.
Small Claims Advisory Clinic
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. - 1 p.m to 4:30 p.m.
Small Claims Mediation Service
Hours: open while court is in session.
Unlawful Detainer Advisory Clinic
Hours: Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. - 1 p.m to 4:00 p.m.
Unlawful Detainer Mediation Service
Hours: Open while court is in session.
