Persons with Disabilities
Persons with Disabilities
Overview
The court is committed to ensuring public access for every court user. This commitment extends to court staff, job seekers, legal professionals, litigants, defendants and witnesses. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to seek accommodations from the court.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and state law require all state and local governmental entities, including the courts, to provide reasonable accommodations for the needs of persons with disabilities. Under the ADA and state law, a person is entitled to an accommodation if he or she has a physical or mental medical condition that limits one or more major life activity, has a record of such condition, or is regarded as having such condition.
It is the policy of the Marin County Superior Court to ensure that qualified persons with disabilities have equal and full access to the judicial system. Court staff shall make every effort to assist individuals requesting reasonable accommodations in accordance with California Rule of Court, Rule 1.100. For answers to common questions about disability accommodations, please read the Disability Accommodations in California Courts (PDF) Pamphlet.
How to Request an Accommodation
Applications requesting accommodations for a disability may be presented in writing on a Disability Accommodation Request (Form MC-410) and submitted in person, by mail, or orally. Applications may be made to the ADA Coordinator, Clerk’s Office, Court Administration or the Courtroom at the following address:
3501 Civic Center Drive, Room 116
San Rafael, CA 94903
All applications for accommodations must include a description of the accommodation sought, along with a statement of the medical condition and an explanation why such accommodation is necessary. The Court, at its discretion, may require the applicant to provide additional information about the qualifying disability.
When making a telephone request, please have the following information readily available:
- Name and address of person requiring the accommodation
- Case name, if available
- Jury duty or type of proceeding (civil, criminal, juvenile, family law and probate)
- Date the accommodation is needed
- Reason why accommodation is necessary
- Type of accommodation
For assistance please contact the Court’s ADA Coordinator by phone (415) 444-7020 or email ADA@marin.courts.ca.gov.
Requests for accommodations should be made as far in advance as possible, and in any event should be made no less than five (5) court days prior to the date needed. The Court may, at its discretion, waive this requirement.
Accommodations
The Court, when possible, will provide appropriate auxiliary aids and services for persons with disabilities to ensure that individuals with disabilities will be able to participate in the complete range of court services, programs and activities. The Court will make reasonable efforts to accommodate disability accommodation requests made less than five (5) court days before a hearing or other court appearance.
- PERSONS WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING
The Court may provide assistive listening devices, Communication Access Real-Time Translation (CART), qualified sign language interpreters or written materials. - PERSONS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE VISION LOSS
The Court may provide large print, Braille materials or electronic format.
Service Animals
Service animals are permitted in the courthouse subject to federal ADA regulations. The ADA defines a “service animal” as any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other disability. In certain situations, a service animal may include a miniature horse. The work or tasks performed by a service animal must be directly related to the handler’s disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort, emotional support, well-being, or companionship are not considered service animals under the ADA. More information about service animals may be found at the following link: ADA Service Animals.
Other useful information about laws, rules and procedures designed to assist persons with disabilities may be found at the following links: