SHARP is the court’s Self-Help Center. As a Self-Help Center, SHARP can provide free legal information and resources to people without an attorney. We assist with family law cases, guardianships, evictions, small claims, name and gender changes, restraining orders, and other types of cases. SHARP does not provide assistance with all case types; please contact us for a complete list of services provided.

What Can SHARP Do for You?

Under the supervision of the managing attorney, our staff can assist all unrepresented parties in a case, providing blank court forms, legal information, and education. If you come to SHARP, we can provide information regarding court procedures, legal definitions, and options that you may have available to you in your case. This allows you to make an informed decision about your case.

However, SHARP staff cannot provide legal advice – we cannot tell you what you should or should not do, nor can we interpret court orders for you. We also cannot provide representation in court, or development of case strategy. Communications between SHARP staff and you are not confidential; we are not responsible for the outcome of your case.

History:

SHARP was founded in 2002 as part of the Judicial Council’s Model Self-Help Center Pilot Program. SHARP was created to provide comprehensive self-help services in small rural courts, specifically in Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties. SHARP has offices at both Butte County Superior Court locations – located in Chico and Oroville, the Glenn County Superior Court located in Willows, and the Tehama County Superior Court located in Red Bluff. Since 2002, SHARP continues to provide free legal information and assistance to self-represented litigants in the North State.