Alleviating Poverty
Marin Community Court
The first of its kind in Marin, the Marin Community Court debuted in Abril of 2011 with the goal of helping homeless defendants and others living at society’s margins to confront the justice system with confidence. Our collaboration with the Marin Superior Court, St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County, and The Phoenix Project of Marin has since assisted thousands of Marin residents to resolve their current or outstanding minor infractions (e.g. jaywalking, sleeping in public parks, suspended driver’s license), and allows them to turn their lives around with a fresh start.
Legal Aid of Marin receives project funding from the Peter E. Haas Jr. Family Fund and the van Löben Sels/RembeRock Foundation to assist parties in participating in the Community Court process. It has provided Marin County and its participants with several hundred thousand dollars in savings and currently represents over 10,000 hours of community service to Marin since 2011.
When:
MCC meets 2:30 p.m. on the 2nd Martes of each month.
Where:
St. Vincent de Paul Society of Marin County’s Free Dining Hall
820 B Street, San Rafael, CA 94901
Who:
You may be eligible for the MCC if you have current or outstanding lifestyle infractions (camping/sleeping in parks, jaywalking, open container, moving violations, etc).
Please Note:
Misdemeanors, DUI, or criminal matters are NOT ELIGIBLE for the Marin Community Court.
Client Story:
Cheryl came to Legal Aid of Marin because the van she purchased to live in was impounded and scheduled to be crushed, with all her belongings and medications inside. Cheryl was unable to register the car because it was riddled with tickets from the prior owner. With the help of Legal Aid of Marin, San Rafael Parking Services Authority agreed to put a hold on the destruction of Cheryl’s van. Cheryl participated in Marin Community Court and fulfilled her community service hours. Subsequently, Cheryl regained possession of her van and completed her DMV vehicle registration.
Submit Request for Consultation
Marin Community Court was founded in 2011 to assist Marin residents with resolving unpaid traffic and parking tickets, driver’s license suspensions, and car registration holds.
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