As Cities Step Up Citations, the Guide Offers Trauma-Informed and Practical Strategies for Lawyers Defending Unhoused Clients
With the criminalization of homeless people ramping up across the nation, the ACLU of Southern California has responded by releasing a guide designed to help legal professionals defend their homeless clients against the citations that are becoming more and more frequent.
The guide is intended to “equip legal services providers, public defenders, and other advocates with a practical introduction to representing unhoused individuals against criminal infraction charges.” It covers best practices for working with both unhoused people and the traffic court system.
Guidance for Working with Unhoused Clients
For those unfamiliar with their unhoused neighbors, the guide offers guidance on best practices for trauma-informed lawyering and client-centered practice. Working with unhoused clients more often than not means working with people who have been, and are currently being, traumatized. It is essential to create a safe environment to avoid retraumatization.
The guide explains that traumatized clients may appear “difficult” or “uncooperative” as a result of that trauma. However, there are ways to manage such situations and create positive working relationships…