PRESIDING JUDGE ERIC C. TAYLOR ANNOUNCES NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH LOS ANGELES CITY, LA COUNTY LIBRARIES TO HELP ELIMINATE INTERNET ACCESS INEQUALITY AND TO PROVIDE GREATER ACCESS TO ALL COURT USERS
New Mobile-Friendly Webpage Highlights Library Resources to Assist Court Users Without Reliable Access to the Internet
Presiding Judge Eric C. Taylor today announced a new partnership with the Los Angeles Public Library and LA County Library to leverage library resources and programs to connect court users to the internet to help them access justice. Library resources include free library laptop and hotspot loan programs, free and low-cost printing services, and more, which court users can utilize to complete court business remotely. Court users can learn about library resources and locations where they can take advantage of them via a new mobile-friendly webpage and flyers that will be available in all Court Self-Help Centers and Clerk’s Offices.
“While the Court has led the way implementing innovative remote solutions that make accessing justice easier than ever, we recognize that not every court user has access to reliable internet, laptops, and desktop computers necessary to participate in many of the Court’s remote programs,” Presiding Judge Taylor said. “So, last year we went to the obvious place for answers our local library leaders. Through this partnership, court users without reliable access to the internet can leverage library resources to help them take advantage of the Court’s remote appearance and service options. We are grateful to the Los Angeles Public Library and LA County Library for their enthusiasm to partner with the Court to bridge the digital divide for court users and ensure equal access to justice for all.”
The Court has implemented various remote options to improve convenient access to justice. These options, which are featured on the new webpage, include:
– Appearing remotely through LACourtConnect, the Court’s remote courtroom appearance technology;
– Searching for traffic citations by driver’s license or citation number and paying citations or signing up for payment plans;
– Requesting interpreters in advance of a court hearing through the Court’s Interpreter Request Portal;
– Accessing remote workshops and programs offered by the Court’s Self-Help Center;
– Viewing court documents remotely for civil, family law, and probate matters; and
– Signing up for the Court’s recently launched Hearing Reminder Service, which provides email and text reminders for upcoming court hearings.
“With equity as our goal, the Los Angeles Public Library is committed to fostering digital inclusion in Los Angeles communities, and we are thrilled to join the Superior Court of Los Angeles County in offering our services,” said City Librarian John F. Szabo. “Through our Tech2go program, we have thousands of Wi-Fi hotspots and bundles that include both a laptop and hotspot in circulation, and when patrons check these out, we know that individuals as well as entire families are able to benefit from the connectivity we provide.”
Skye Patrick, Director of LA County Library said, “We are committed to breaking down barriers and bridging the digital divide for residents across LA County. We are proud to offer a variety of resources, programs and services across 49 cities and all of the unincorporated areas of LA County through our network of 85 community libraries. Whether it’s access to free Wi-Fi and public computers or our robust online databases and tools, we are here to support court customers with their informational and technology needs.”
Flyers highlighting the new mobile-friendly webpage and library laptop and hotspot loan programs will be available in the Court’s Self-Help Centers and Clerk’s Offices. The mobile-friendly webpage is accessible via the Court’s main landing page, www.lacourt.org, as well as the Court’s AccessLACourt | Your Way page. To access the page directly, visit www.lacourt.org/digitaldivide.
You can see the full notice here.
First Legal, your premier litigation support provider.
