Thursday, April 3, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Thursday, October 2, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

--- ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME FOR CLASSES HELD VIA ZOOM---

A criminal record can prevent a person from accessing employment, housing, and other important opportunities – even if it involves a minor offense or something that happened long ago. Fortunately, many California state court criminal convictions can be cleaned from your record. Although “expungement” is not available in this state, California law does provide many of the same benefits through reduction and dismissal of old or minor convictions. In this class, learn what types of convictions are eligible, the process involved for different types of records, and resources available to help.

Class covers:

• What it means to clean your criminal record in California (and what “expungement” means)
• The process for petitioning to dismiss misdemeanor and some felony sentences
• The process for petitioning to reduce felony sentences, and which felonies are eligible for reduction
• Information and forms required for petitions
• Resources for additional information and assistance

Class approved for Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education (CIMCE) credit.

Presented by: LA Law Library Reference Librarians

Registration fees: FREE - Reservation reserves spot

No legal advice: LA Law Library does not provide legal advice.  LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service.  The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons.  For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Thursday, April 17, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Thursday, November 13, 2025: 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.

--- ZOOM INFORMATION WILL BE EMAILED TO REGISTRANTS PRIOR TO CLASS START TIME FOR CLASSES HELD VIA ZOOM---

Many people can’t afford a lawyer to handle their legal issues, especially when it comes to problems with debt. In this class, learn best practices for getting out of debt, how to handle the different types of debt, and your rights when facing repossessions, foreclosures and lawsuits. Learning important legal fundamentals – and the resources available to help – can make your journey out of debt easier and more successful.
           
Class covers:

• Best practices for getting out of debt, including which debts to pay first
• Repairing your credit
• Responding to lawsuits and property seizures
• The different types of debt and your rights and responsibilities for each
• Bankruptcy options
• Resources for further information and where to seek help

Class approved for Court Interpreter Minimum Continuing Education (CIMCE) credit.

Developed by practicing attorneys and presented by LA Law Library Reference Librarians

Registration fees: FREE - Reservation reserves spot

No legal advice: LA Law Library does not provide legal advice.  LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service.  The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons.  For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

A civil lawsuit starts with the filing and service of a written complaint; the defendant must then file an answer or other response. These are called pleadings, and they set the stage for all that comes afterward in the lawsuit. In this class, learn how to prepare, file, serve and respond to civil case pleadings in California state court.

 Class covers:

• Is filing a lawsuit a good idea?
• Identifying possible legal theories
• Drafting the complaint
• Service of summons and complaint
• Answers and other responsive pleadings

Presented by:

Mary Garcia, Librarian, Reference & Research, LA Law Library (https://www.lalawlibrary.org/)

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice. LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service. The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons. For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 | Time: 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The two pillars of a case on appeal are the appellate records and the briefs. The record consists of the documents filed in the trial court (the “Clerk’s Transcript”), plus a record of the oral proceedings in the courtroom (the “Reporter’s Transcript” or a substitute). The briefs are written legal arguments that present a party’s position on appeal.

Class covers:

• The purpose, content and importance of the Clerk’s and Reporter’s Transcripts
• How to designate a record that is adequate to help the appellate court assess error
• The purpose and contents of an appellate brief
• What rules guide the appellate court’s decision about whether the trial court decision should be reversed
• The different, and equally essential roles of the factual history and the legal arguments in a brief
• Format, filing and service requirements
• Deadlines and time limits

Presented by: Zoe Dolan, Supervising Staff Attorney, Public Counsel (https://publiccounsel.org/)

 LA Law Library does not provide legal advice:

LA Law Library does not provide legal advice.  LA Law Library provides legal resources and assistance with legal research as an educational service.  The information presented in this program is not legal advice and is provided solely as an educational service to our patrons.  For legal advice, you should consult an attorney.