Resources for the Veterans Community
Homeless Court
It is widely known that homeless people do not go to court. Several issues keep them away, including a
fear of being locked up, loss of all their worldly possessions left behind while they attend court, and
the belief that by appearing they would only be levied a monetary fine they could not pay. All of which
is basically true.
The concept of conducting a court calendar outside of the traditional courtroom setting originated out
of the "Operation Stand Down" events held throughout our State. During the "Stand Down" events, a Court
is convened at the event location to take care of minor criminal matters that acted as reintegration
barriers for the homeless veterans attending "Stand Down" events. The success of these "Stand Down"
courts gave rise to the current efforts to bring this vital opportunity to the general homeless
population.
Today, approximately ten (10) or more counties in California have implemented Homeless Court programs,
and many more are either in the process of or have expressed interest in creating a Homeless Court.
It is believed by some that the Homeless Court Program will gain national prominence over the next Five
(5) to Ten (10) years.
The American Bar Association (ABA) Commission on Homelessness and Poverty has developed a "how-to"
manual for creating a homeless court, according to Attorney at Law Steven Binder, deputy public
defender, Law Offices of the Public Defender of San Diego County.
The step-by-step guide addresses the roles played by judges, clerks, prosecutors, public defenders,
shelters, and homeless participants, said Binder, who was honored for his work in March 2000 by the
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
This manual is available online at
www.abanet.org/homeless/products_pubs.shtml
For further details, email the commission's director, Staff Attorney Amy Horton-Newell, at
hortona@staff.abanet.org or telephone 202-662-1693.
CALIFORNIA HOMELESS COURT NETWORK RESOURCE LIST
Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance
615 California Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93301
(661) 334-4676
Contact: Walter Williams
Joshua H. Rudnick, Esq.
| Sandy V. Silva
Superior Court of California
County of Fresno
1100 Van Ness Avenue
Fresno, CA 93724-0002
(559) 488-6792
|
Rescue Mission
830 Beale
Bakersfield, CA 93306
(661)325-0863
Contact: Dan Bayous
| Bakersfield Homeless Shelter
1600 East Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93306
(661) 322-9199
Contact: Lucio Sanchez
Diana Campbell Rice
|
Kern County Superior Court
Judge HA (Skip) Staley
1215 Truxtun Avenue
Bakersfield, CA 93304
(661) 861-2639
| Deputy Public Defender
The Law Offices of the Public
Defender of Kern County
(661) 868-4832 or (661) 868-1799
Contact: Teryl Wakeman
Mark Arnold
|
Judge Victoria Grant
401 Roma NW
Albuquerque, N M 87102
(505)841-8261
| Judge Ron Hyde
5672 Stoneridge Drive
Pleasanton, CA 94588
(925) 803-7918
|
Veterans Crisis Programs
Of Central California
2735 E. Woodward Avenue
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 486-5701 (800) 611-6262
Contact: Daniel R Hartman
| Christine Jaramillo
401 Roma NW
Albuquerque, NM 87102
(505) 841-6986
|
Law Offices Public Defender
County of Fresno
2220 Tulare Street, Suite 300
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 488-3546
| The Poverello House
P.O. Box 12225
Fresno, CA 93777
(559) 498-6988
Contact: Michael Purtell
|
Homeless Prevention Law Project
Public Counsel
601 S. Ardmore Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 385-2977 ext 101
Contact: Lisa Jaskol
| Judge Dale Ikeda
Superior Court of California
County of Fresno
1100 Van Ness Avenue
Fresno, CA 93724-0002
(559) 488-6792
|
San Diego Superior Court
Hon. Peter C. Deddeh, Presiding
220 W. Broadway
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 531-3060
| Public Defender
700 H Street, Suite 0270
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 874-5732
Contact: Tommy Clinkenbeard
|
Vietnam Veterans of San Diego
4141 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 497-0142
Contact: Andre Simpson
| Law Offices of the Public
Defender of San Diego County
233 A Street, Suite 500
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 38-4700
Contact:
Steven R Binder
Joan Dawson
|
Self-Help Legal Access Center
Superior Court County of
Ventura
800 S. Victoria Avenue, Room 106
Ventura, CA 93009
(805) 654-3879
Contact: Tina Rasnow
| St. Vincent De Paul Village
1501 Imperial Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 233-8500 ext. 1233
Contact: Hector Sanchez
|