The Court implemented a change to front reception at FRC on March 6, 2024. Under the change, Deputy Clerks from Legal Processing took over the reception function and began distributing forms, while paralegals continued triage from the reception desk. This resulted in backup and long lines at the reception desk. UPE met with the Court on April 16, 2024, to discuss the Court’s plans to address this situation. Now, the Court plans to remove the paralegal and triage function from the reception desk and just staff the desk with two Deputy Clerks. These clerks will provide general information, issue tickets for court services, and hand out restraining orders. Paralegal triage will now take place in the self-help center with other paralegal services. Paralegals will also take over form distribution. The Court hopes the change will speed up service at the reception desk by limiting the services offered to those that take very little time.
The self-help center will now change its hours to Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and then from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. On Fridays, the self-help center will now be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Paralegal duties will not change other than handing out forms. The new process will go into effect on April 29, 2024.Â
UPE thanks Shawn Boxer, Tammi Boxer, Andrea Howard, Paul McGee, Julie Valdivia, Alison Saltonstall, Liz Teklinsky, Robin Thorpe, and Nicole Swordman for their participation in the meeting.   Â
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