Citation Defense Program

The Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles has announced a free training in citation defense:

LAPD officers issue over 1,000 "quality of life" citations to predominantly poor and homeless people of color each month in the skid row area of downtown LA. The citations can cost between around $200 and $900. Unfortunately, most people who receive "quality of life" citations are extremely low-income. LAFLA, in partnership with Public Counsel and Los Angeles Community Action Network, operates the Citation Defense Program to respond to violations by LAPD. This training will teach attorneys the skills necessary to conduct citation intakes, interview clients, assess cases, provide counsel and advice, and defend infractions.

The free training is tomorrow morning (April 28) at Loyola Law School from 9:30a-12:30p.  After the training, law students and attorneys can provide counsel and advice to citation recipients at clinics held every Wednesday from 6-8pm at 456 Main Street. Attorneys can also represent litigants in court to defend the citations.

Update: Citation Defense Primer (pdf) - my annotated copy of the training materials.