Our Attorneys Offer Programs for Community Members
At this time, SBTLC offers three programs to assist community members in becoming more aware of legal issues affecting the Santa Barbara area and beyond. At this time we focus on three main projects (1) The Tara Haaland-Ford Restorative Justice Project (2) Street Law and (3) Clinics
The Tara Haaland- Ford Restorative Justice Project
The Tara Haaland-Ford Restorative Justice Project focuses on criminal cases involving juveniles who have committed offenses, and provides an alternative to the traditional juvenile criminal court and educational systems. This project brings together the person who has been harmed and the person who is accused of causing the harm. This involves creating a setting whereby an offender meets with the victim within an actual circle made up of their respective extended families and support systems. The offender then listens and is given an opportunity to understand how their actions have impacted everyone involved. This process gives the victim an opportunity to face the person who harmed them and to provide input as to an acceptable resolution. The Santa Barbara Teen Legal Clinic supports this process by training effective mediators, facilitating the restorative justice circle, and monitoring the successful completion of the reparative agreement.
Street Law
"The 'Street Law' class is where attorneys, and law students breakdown complex legal issues into layperson's terms that can then be taught to junior high and high school students and empower them regarding their legal rights and responsibilities.
Clinics
Our clinics allow youth of all ages to ask attorneys any legal question within a confidential setting. In the past, the Santa Barbara Teen Legal Clinic has hosted these clinics at the Santa Barbara Boys and Girls Club, and online during COVID- 19.
These questions range from "how do I get into law school?" to "what is the purpose of the 1st amendment? to questions involving all specialties of law such as emancipation, immigration or criminal law. If the attorney did not have expertise in the area asked about the attorney would connect the student with an attorney from our board and/or advisory board.
Contact Us for More Information
SBTLC exists to help improve your situation, and that can often mean learning more about these kinds of legal situations. Contact us today at (805) 694 - 8315 or by filling out the contact form to speak with someone about your case.