Judicial Council of California: News Release. Public Information Office (415) 865-7740.
Release Date: July 28, 2003 Release Number:  43 

Free Online Legal Information for Spanish-Speaking Californians

Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California debuts today at www.sucorte.ca.gov

San Francisco—Spanish-speaking Californians, who are a significant part of the estimated 4.3 million who represent themselves in court each year, can now get free legal information on the Internet through the Spanish-language edition of the California Courts Online Self-Help Center, Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California (www.sucorte.ca.gov).

The newly launched Web site is the most comprehensive Spanish-language resource for information about the California courts.  Self-represented, Spanish-speaking litigants, who are often unfamiliar with court procedures and forms, now have available a wealth of information and resources in Spanish that will help them navigate the court system.  Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California provides quick access to information about court procedures, forms, referrals to legal services, and other assistance.

Centro de Ayuda de las Cortes de California provides information on:

The site also: “The new Spanish Self-Help Center will make the legal process more accessible to those members of our growing Spanish-speaking population who go to court without an attorney,” states Chief Justice Ronald M. George, Chair of the Judicial Council. “Even those individuals who have an attorney will find that using this new Web site will help them become more knowledgeable and informed.  Informed litigants ensure a more just and efficient process for both the litigants and the courts.”

The Judicial Council of California, the policymaking body of the California court system, has made improved public access a top priority of the judicial branch.  The council’s staff agency, the Administrative Office of the Courts, maintains the online center.
 

Note to Editors and Producers:  Bilingual fact sheets and other information on Centro de Ayuda can be found in the Press Room of the new site at www.sucorte.ca.gov. Digital audio clips of public service announcements (Spanish only) are also available in the Press Room.

Video clips of California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno discussing the new site in his chambers in San Francisco are available in English and Spanish upon request. Tape (Beta format) also includes b-roll of Web pages and a user navigating the site. Contact: Administrative Office of the Courts, Office of Communications, 415-865-7740 or pubinfo@jud.ca.gov.