Chico Consumer Protection Agency (CCPA) – Our department assists clients with complaints against businesses and issues dealing with fraud, identity theft, credit/other types of debt, and general questions regarding bankruptcy. We are also able to help provide legal information surrounding contracts, small claims court, lemon law (car sales and other consumer goods), probate law (wills and trusts), insurance claims/disputes, disaster insurance recovery, licensed contractor disputes, dog bites, escrow questions, and other potential consumer issues. Along with providing legal information in the above areas of law, we are able inform people on how to file complaints to federal agencies such as the Federal Trade Commission.
In the Chico Consumer Protection Agency, we assist roughly forty to fifty clients per month. Not only do we strive to provide information that can aid businesses against frivolous lawsuits but we also provide individual clients with legal consumer information to protect them from unfair or illegal business practices.
County Jail Law Project (CJLP) – County Jail Law Project (CJLP) operates under the Community Legal Information Clinic (CLIC) in assisting inmates housed in Butte County Jail (BCJ). Students in CJLP also run the law library within BCJ. Incarcerated individuals in the jail can request legal information by submitting a “Butte County Jail Law Library Inmate Request” form. They can also write directly to CJLP at the CLIC offices. CJLP provides legal information including, but not limited to, general pre-trial procedures, California Penal Codes, Inmate Case Activities and jail conditions regulations. We assist approximately 400- 500 individuals each month with their legal research requests.
Disability Law (D&L) – The Disability Law Department focuses on providing legal information to students and community members that have questions about Social Security Disability. With a focus on SSI and SSDI claims, we can be of service in the application process and provide legal information about restrictions that must be met to qualify for benefits. We can assist in appealing applications that have been denied with the possibility to advocate at an Administrative Law Hearing, depending on the individual case. Our services give clients the opportunity to meet the requirements needed to secure the highest possibility of success in their disability claims. We also provide information about accessibility and disability rights to ensure that people are having their needs met. Our goal is to assist people with disabilities in reaching their full potential by providing useful information.
Environmental Advocates (EA) – Environmental Advocates (EA) uses a 3-pronged approach to promote responsible environmental decision-making – Research, Education and Action. Students can provide support for local issues by conducting research in a variety of areas including water law, land-use/planning, environmental justice and air quality, to name a few. Environmental education is an important part of a healthy environment and interns may work on environmental education campaigns, promoting laws and policies to reduce waste, advocate responsible water uses and more. EA students may partake in activities of environmental concern, such as speaking at city council, county board of supervisors meetings, or preparing and submitting comments on proposed government actions affecting the environment. EA is available to work on local and, when appropriate, national environmental issues.
Family Law Project – Students in this program can provide clients with information and assistance for completing the necessary documents for the following: dissolution, legal separation, paternity, custody, visitation and request for order (RFO: the act of formally asking a judge to make orders in a legal matter). We also provide referrals to other self-help agencies and organizations that provide legal resources and support.
Housing Law – Provides free legal information regarding Landlord/Tenant relations. This information includes but is not limited to habitability issues, security deposits, evictions, lease agreements, roommate disputes, and mobile home law.
Misdemeanors, Tickets and Traffic (MTT) – In the Misdemeanors, Tickets, & Traffic Department (MTT), we assist members of the community by providing legal information about a variety of misdemeanors, infractions, and expungements. Many of the types of information we disseminate are about either alcohol-related offenses, expungements of criminal records, traffic violations, parking tickets, marijuana offenses, Fish & Game violations, or failure to appear violations
Penal Law Project – The Penal Law Project operates under the Community Legal Information Clinic in assisting incarcerated individuals in state and federal prison facilities located throughout the United States by providing legal information upon request. Clients generally seek basic legal information and research materials regarding penal statutes as well as copies of relevant case law. Topics that are often addressed include, but are not limited to, issues of trial error, sentencing, parole, pardons and habeas corpus. The project does not provide advice or representation for inmates. We operate solely as paralegal students, locating and accessing requested forms or legal information. We do not offer any form of legal advice, nor can we represent you.
Student Legal Services and Juvenile Rights – SLS works primarily with students in helping them understand their rights and responsibilities. These areas include but are not limited to: grade disputes, Title IX, the student disciplinary process, guardianship, and general on-campus or classroom issues. SLS works primarily with students in helping them understand their rights and responsibilities. These areas include but are not limited to: grade disputes, Title IX, the student disciplinary process, and general on-campus or classroom issues. This department also provides legal information regarding guardianships, name change, and conservatorships. SLS also provides referrals to other agencies that can be of assistance regarding these issues (I.e. SHARP, Butte County Public Law Library).
Women’s Law – We provide legal information not legal advice. We support and assist women, men, children, and seniors who are or have been survivors of domestic violence or harassment. As paralegal interns, we are available to supply information about obtaining protective orders pertaining to domestic violence, harassment, and elder or dependent adult abuse.
Paralegal Interns of the Women’s Law Project collaborate with local county and state agencies including: SHARP, Catalyst, Victim Witness and Safe at Home. When appropriate, CLIC’s paralegal interns will make referrals to these agencies to assist survivors dealing with the impacts of domestic violence.
Workers’ Rights Program (WRP) – Provides legal information to clients’ questions regarding their legal rights and responsibilities. Employee questions include: workers compensation, sexual harassment in workplace, wrongful termination, discrimination, at-will employment, wage claims, and immigration.
