Community Court Access (CCA) Program Overview
What is the Community Court Access program?
The CCA program is a partnership between the community and the NYS Unified Court System to provide accessibility to any person seeking assistance from the Court System who may not have access to a home computer and/or internet service, who may need some assistance in accessing the courts, or who may not be able to be able to get to the physical courthouse for a variety of reasons such as transportation, child care, or personal safety. With this new program, you can now have your court needs met in a friendly, safe, and secure environment, that is close to your home and may even be located at your own religious center, public library, or other community space.
What can you do at a CCA facility?
- Attend a scheduled court appearance virtually
- File paperwork with a court
- Access Do-It-Yourself (DIY) documents as well as the Court Help site
- Access Ask a Law Librarian
- Access other resources in the community such as Pro Bono (free or sliding scale) Attorney’s for more complex legal matters, domestic violence services, mental health services, etc.
- And so much more! Have questions about whether your court needs can be met at a CCA location? Call or email and speak to someone directly; trained court staff are here to help.
What to expect when going to a CCA facility:
When you arrive at a CCA facility, a trained court staff member or trained community member, will greet you, walk you through the COVID screening process, then show you to the private space that has been allocated for this program. They can then assist you to the extent possible, to fit the needs of your visit. The space has a computer, printer, scanner, and a camera for virtual communication. The space is cleaned to adhere to COVID standards after each participant’s visit.
Areas of assistance available:
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation
- Divorces
- Domestic Violence
- Estates
- Foreclosures
- Guardianships
- Landlord/Tenant
- Orders of Protection
- Wills
Please note: Areas of assistance may not be limited to those listed above
CCA Contact Information
How do I access CCA?
To make an appointment to use a CCA facility, either call or email and a trained court staff member will guide you through the intake process to determine the area of need, date, time, and location for the appointment.
518-285-6165
The help line is monitored by trained court staff Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 4:00pm.
Additional Information
Brochure & Participating CCA Facilities
Legal Assistance Resource Guide
Resources
- 1-800-Court NY (1-800-268-7869) : call for general questions, suggestions, and court information; interpreters available.
- Ask a Law Librarian: connect with staff law librarians through text, email, or live chat
- Access Court Decisions Online:
- Attorney Directory: search for attorneys registered in New York State
- CourtHelp: find the help you need to represent yourself; find addresses for all court facilities
- Court Interpreting Service:
- Document Delivery: library material document delivery service
- Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Court Forms: prepare forms online that can be filed at a court
- Downloadable Court Forms: download, complete, and file petitions at a court
- Help Center Locations: free information about the law and court procedures
- Public Access Law Libraries: legal libraries open to the public
- Statewide Law Library Catalog:
- Free Legal Answers: connect with volunteer attorneys on civil matters
- LawHelpNY: free legal information and attorney referrals -
- Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY: free civil legal services for low-income people
- Legal Information for Families Today: legal assistance with child support, custody, visitation, and domestic violence
- Legal Services of the Hudson Valley: civil representation to poor and low-income families and individuals
- The Legal Project: legal assistance and representation for civil matters