streetlaw

The University of Oregon School of Law StreetLaw program is one of the most vibrant student organizations at the law school. Our programs thrive on the commitment of law students to provide community members with information about their legal rights and responsibilities on various topics. All StreetLaw programs welcome volunteers regardless of experience, and we are always open to ideas for improving and expanding the program.

Domestic Violence StreetLaw aims to generate awareness of domestic violence in the local community, provide community members with a basic framework of their legal rights and responsibilities, and to help others identify the underlying sociological tensions that arise in a domestic violence related trial. Law school volunteers organize domestic abuse statistics and information into short interactive presentations appropriate for high school students studying family law. Mock trials engage the students in conversation on domestic violence and help them to ultimately to realize the unavoidable implications of abuse on all members of a family.

Interim Director: Peter Howard

Juvenile Law StreetLaw educates incarcerated or high-risk juveniles as to their legal rights, responsibilities, and potential, and to provide them with the information and the educational tools necessary to break the cycle of incarceration. Participants teach classes on a variety of subjects to teenagers at local high schools and to incarcerated juveniles at the John Serbu Youth Detention Center. Topics include the juvenile justice system, expunging records, Measure 11 minimum sentencing, emancipation, information about the services available once outside of detention.

Program Co-Directors: Sanford Weintraub, Kristin Ware, David Sherbo-Huggins, Ana Mamani-Haynes

Landlord/Tenant StreetLaw provides community members with an understanding of their basic rights and responsibilities as tenants. Participants teach people enrolled in the Second Chance Rehabilitation Program addressing topics including Habitability and Repairs, Notice of Eviction, and Forcible Entry and Detainer. In the year ahead we hope to find new venues and groups interested in hosting the class and to create a Landlord Tenant Streetlaw class for Spanish speaking residents in the area.

Director: J. Mathew (Matt) DeVore

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues is a StreetLaw class seeking to educate the LGBT community about their rights in employment and housing situations. This class is currently in development, so people interested in helping put together the teaching material as well as those interested in teaching the class are welcome.

Contact: Anya Kjeldsen

Search and Seizure StreetLaw focuses on the rights guaranteed under the Fourth Amendment and Art. I, ¤9 of the Oregon Constitution. Participants teach local high school students, undergrads, and community members about issues that may arise when citizens are contacted by police officers. Classes cover topics such as stop and frisk, vehicle searches, consent, warrants, searches pursuant to arrest, and the exclusionary rule.

Program Co-Directors: Darci Van Duzer, Sarah Lundstedt

Spanish StreetLaw classes have roughly the same content matter of other StreetLaw classes, but are conducted in Spanish. Classes are tailored to include issues relevant to the Hispanic community. A Spanish Search and Seizure, Landlord/Tenant or other classes may be offered.

Program Co-Directors: Andrew Kraushaar, Evan Wickersham

StreetLaw New Classes are always welcome; all it takes is your time and interest! We can help you get started, find a forum to teach classes, help when snags arise, and offer plenty of moral support.

2008-2009 UO StreetLaw Director: Anya Kjeldsen