Last month we were honored to join the Sanford Police Department and various other community-based organizations at the Hispanic Heritage Outreach Festival at Clifford McKibbin Park. We are grateful for the Sanford Police Department for putting together a spectacular event and were so excited to have the opportunity to meet with everyone out in the community.

Pictured above is paralegal, Sophia Ulloa who represented us at the event.

With the end of the summer, brings the beginning of back to school season. To help you get your little ones prepared for the new school year, you can take advantage of the tax-free holiday starting from July 25^th to August 7^th. In this time, you will be able to purchase clothing, footwear, and backpacks costing $100 or less, school supplies and learning aids costing $50 or less, and personal computers or computer-related accessories, including non-recreational software costing $1,500 or less. Additionally, children’s books are tax free until August 14^th.

For families seeking additional support, here are some back to school events in Seminole County:

Saturday, August 6, 2022 

Inspiring Hands Back to School Bash 

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM  

Trotwood Park - 701 Northern Way,

Winter Springs, FL 32708 

Must register in advance | info@inspringhandsfl.org 

Saturday, August 6, 2022 

Divine Truth Christian Center

4th Annual Back To School Bash 

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM  

350 Anchor Road #Suite 1050

Casselberry, FL 32707 

Register your child for a FREE haircut

(Limited availability) 

With increases in rent and changes to landlord tenant law, it is important now more than ever to understand your rights as a tenant. Join us on Tuesday, August 23rd at 5:30pm for the first webinar of our new educational series focusing on the rights of tenants in eviction actions. Learn from our staff attorneys about best practices and get answers to any questions you may have about your own housing issues.

In order to register please contact, please contact Camryn Williams at camrynw@scbalas.com.

We are excited to announce that starting in September on the second and fourth Thursday of the month we will be running a free legal advice clinic for Seminole State College students in conjunction with their Legal Studies Program and Holistic Student Support Department. Students will be able to come and get advice from our staff attorneys on various family law and private landlord tenant matters.

This project will serve citizens of Seminole county that are sworn law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics who have less than 2 years of experience and an annual income of less than $45,000. If you would like to volunteer your time by providing free assistance with healthcare advance directives, living wills, heath care surrogate forms, and durable power of attorney, please contact Pro-Bono Coordinator, Camryn Williams at camrynw@scbalas.com

We provide free legal advice and counsel to survivors of domestic violence in Seminole County with family law matters including dissolution of marriage, paternity, and time-sharing issues. Our Attorneys seek to achieve just outcomes that improve the lives of families and children and to promote the prevention of domestic abuse through community education to alert at risk population as to their rights, best practices to secure their safety, and the resources available in the community to safeguard them.

If you would like an appointment to apply for services, place call (407) 834-1660 or email administrator@scbalas.com.

Don't let that arrest on your record prevent you from getting the job of your dreams. In partnership with Goodwill Industries, our office holds a workshop to learn from our experienced volunteer attorneys how to seal or expunge your record.

You may qualify if you had:

• Adjudication withheld or charges dropped
• AND never previously sealed or expunged your record

To check the list of disqualifying crimes, click here.

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Workgroup on Continuity of Court Operations and Proceedings During and After COVID-19 was tasked with developing findings and recommendations on court operations and proceedings that would ensure the health and safety of all individuals. In this capacity, they were authorized to make recommendations on the efficiency of these operations and determine whether they should be continued when there was no longer a concern for health and safety in the community.

Due to the positive response and outcomes with the use of communication technology such as remote hearings, the Supreme Court adopted the recommendations from the Workgroup and made amendments to the Florida Rule of General Practice and Judicial Administration 2.530 allowing the continued use of such technology for specific cases. This amendment take effective October 1, 2022. To read the full Supreme Court Opinion and changes made on this issue, please click here.

A.O. 22-01 Amended Supersedes 22-01:

In Re: Judges – Appointment of County Court Judges to Handle Circuit Cases in Certain Situations

A.O. 22-02 2nd Amended Supersedes 22-02 Amended:

In Re: Judges – Appointment of Circuit Judges to Handle County Court Cases in Certain Situations

A.O. 22-19 Supersedes 21-03 3rd Amended:

In Re: Judges Administrative Judges

It's not too late to make an impact in our community. We ask you to please join us in our efforts to maintain the wonderful quality of life we enjoy in Seminole County by donating your time and talents to help a disenfranchised person(s) with their legal needs or by providing an in lieu of service monetary donation to help support our legal program. Below is a link to our 2022 Pro Bono Registration form for your consideration. Click here to let us know how you plan to impact the Seminole County community. If you are unable to donate time, click here to give in lieu of service.

Primary midterm elections are rapidly approaching so mark your calendars for election day on August 23^rd from 7am to 7pm! If you’re hoping to get ahead of the crowd, early voting begins August 13^th to August 20^th from 10am-6pm. To check the nearest polling place to you, please click the link for Seminole county or Orange county.

The Bureau of Victim Compensation's brochure provides useful information for those within our communities that have fallen victim to such crimes. The resources provided are:

1. Toll-Free Victim Services Information and Referral Line 1-800-226-6667
2. Benefits Available
3. How to Apply
4. Qualification Guidelines for Applying
5. Information Need to Apply
6. Next Steps after a Claim is Submitted

To view the full brochure and get complete information please click here.

Also, to view a list of other resources available to victims of crime please click here.

Upcoming Events

August 3, 2022 - In-Person Sealing and Expungement Workshop

August 17, 2022 - Virtual Sealing and Expungement Workshop

August 23, 2022 - Primary Election

August 23, 2022 - Housing Webinar