Our Services
At the Santa Cruz County Justice Project (SCCJP), we provide accessible, practical legal support for community members navigating the most common and urgent cases in limited-jurisdiction courts. Our mission is to help people understand their rights, prepare their cases, and move forward with confidence—especially when hiring a private attorney is not realistic.
We currently focus on a defined set of legal matters so we can deliver high-quality, reliable assistance, while steadily building toward broader services in the future.
Legal Areas We Currently Support
At this time, SCCJP provides assistance in the following areas:
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Orders of Protection for victims of domestic violence
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Evictions and Housing Stability for tenants and landlords navigating the eviction process
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Debt Collection Cases for civil debt matters under $10,000, including medical debt and consumer claims
These case types represent the most frequent and disruptive legal issues facing residents of Santa Cruz County and where early guidance can make the greatest difference.
How We Help
We support individuals through a three-tiered service model designed to meet people where they are and provide the right level of help at each stage of their case.
1. Education
Understanding the process is the first step toward justice.
We offer clear, practical educational tools that explain how a case moves through the court system, what to expect at each stage, and how to prepare. This includes:
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Step-by-step tutorials for each case type
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Plain-language explanations of court procedures and timelines
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Guidance on rights, responsibilities, and common pitfalls
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Community lectures and workshops on legal topics of local interest
Our education programs are designed for people with no legal background and are available in formats that are easy to access and understand.
2. Guided Self-Help
Turning information into action.
SCCJP uses an AI-supported self-help tool to assist individuals in building a personalized legal plan for their case. Through this tool, users can:
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Identify their legal issues and goals
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Receive guidance tailored to their situation
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Generate court-ready documents and forms
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Prepare written statements and filings
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Understand what to file, when to file it, and where
All materials are designed to help people safely and confidently represent themselves, while staying within court rules and procedures.
3. In-Person Advocacy &
Legal Guidance
You don't have to navigate the system alone.
We are building a network of Arizona Supreme Court-Certified Community Legal Advocates who can:
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Help individuals understand next steps
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Review documents and filings
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Explain court notices and deadlines
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Provide support before and after court appearances
In addition, SCCJP is developing a pro bono attorney network to:
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Offer limited legal advice in appropriate cases
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Provide representation in select matters
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Support complex or high-impact cases when possible
Our goal is to combine technology, education, and human support so people are never left guessing.
Our Current Scope & Our Future Growth
SCCJP is intentionally launching with a focused set of services so we can build a strong, trustworthy foundation. While we plan to expand into additional areas of law over time, we do not yet provide assistance in every legal matter. If your issue falls outside of our current service areas:
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We still encourage you to reach out
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We may be able to provide educational resources
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We can help identify referrals or future programs
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Your inquiry helps guide what services we build next
Our work is growing alongside community needs and your voice matters in shaping that growth.