Branch 1034 Southwest Riverside County
Serving Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, Temecula, Corona, Norco, Canyon Lake, Wildomar, Menifee & Perris
NAACP LEGAL COMPLAINT PROCESS FLOW & FAQs
***PLEASE NOTE***
1. The NAACP Branch 1034 can NOT accept verbal complaints over the telephone.
ALL complaints MUST be submitted in writing on the approved LEGAL
REDRESS form.
2. The NAACP's Legal Redress program is managed by the Legal
Redress Committee. The review and processing of complaints are
conducted by a group of NAACP Branch 1034 volunteers called the Legal Redress
Team (LRT). Complaints are periodically reviewed throughout the month.
Although the NAACP's LRT goal is to address complaints in a timely manner, complainants should anticipate a slight delay before receiving a response to a submitted
complaint.
3. The NAACP Branch 1034 does NOT have organic lawyers! If necessary, the
LRT will refer you to legal counsel.
4. The NAACP is working on developing a program to provide access
to attorneys for legal advice (see "SPEAK WITH A LAWYER" below.)
SPEAK WITH A LAWYER
1. The NAACP is finalizing details and logistics for a program
allowing individuals to have a one-on-one meeting with a lawyer.
2. The approximately 20-minute meetings will be scheduled on a
first-come, first-served basis.
3. Continue to check for updates about this program on this page.
9-STEP COMPLAINT REVIEW PROCESS
If you believe that you have been the victim of a Civil or Human
Rights wrongful action and want to file a complaint with the NAACP Branch 1034 to have the organization investigate your complaint, you MUST submit a Formal Complaint Form.
Here are the sequential actions for submitting a complaint and the NAACP processing steps:
1. Applicant/Complainant obtains and completely fills out a NAACP Civil Rights Complaint Form.
2. Applicant submits the completed Complaint Form to the NAACP Branch 1034.
3. The NAACP dates and time stamps Complaint Form upon receipt.
4. The NAACP's Legal Redress Team (LRT) reviews received
Complaint Forms for completeness and to determine the dynamics of the
complaint and potential course(s) of action for the complaining
applicant and, ultimately, resolution of the issue.
5. The NAACP LRT contacts the complainant to:
* Request additional or collaborating information, if needed.
* Schedule an appointment with the complainant if there's
sufficient evidence of wrongdoing or actionable offense,
* If LRT determines the complaint does NOT have merit for action,
advise the complainant of this and the reason(s) why.
6. Interview the complainant and have the complainant complete
applicable waiver and authorization forms.
7. Determine the best course of action to obtain a resolution of the complaint.
8. Pursue recommended course of action. When necessary, refer the
complainant to legal counsel resources.
9. Develop and maintain detailed documentation for each case.
CIVIL and HUMAN RIGHTS COMPLAINTS - FAQs
What is the LRT's goal in helping me?
The NAACP Branch 1034 LRT has established several goals and
objectives. These G&Os are as follows:
1. Review the submitted Complaint form promptly.
2. Thoroughly discuss legitimate complaints with complainants in a
timely manner.
3. Attempt to resolve legitimate cases with all involved parties.
4. Refer complainants to legal representatives when necessary.
Where can I get a Complaint form?
Complaint forms:
1. It can be downloaded from this website. (Click on the link below)
2. Forms are also available at the NAACP branch office in Lake Elsinore.
3. Forms can be emailed or mailed. Call the branch office at 951-387-8848 with questions regarding sending the forms.
Why do I have to fill out a Complaint Form?
1. The Complaint form provides our LRT thorough information about a
complaint, the associated circumstances, and the parties involved.
This helps our LRT assess the situation and determine what action(s),
if any, need to be taken.
2. The Complaint form also serves to provide the complainant with a
"Statement of Understanding" regarding what the LRT can do and what we
CAN NOT do.
What is the NAACP process for submitting a Civil/Human Rights complaint?
Please read/review the 9-step process listed above.
Does the NAACP Branch 1034 have any Lawyers? What is the background of your LRT?
1. The NAACP Branch 1034 does NOT have lawyers nor provides "direct" legal
representation. We are not a law firm.
2. The LRT comprises individuals with experience and/or training in
conflict resolution, Human Resources, Labor Relations, People Skills,
and Problem-Solving Techniques.
Why can't I just call in and give a verbal complaint?
1. Federal and State privacy and confidentiality laws require that
provisions be in place to protect individuals’ information and
restrict who has access to it.
2. The Complaint Form has been structured to solicit the "who, what,
where, why, and how" details regarding a complaint. This helps the
complainant compile and structure relevant and often critical
complaint information.
3. The Complaint form provides formal documentation and a record for a
submitted complaint. As such, it also protects both the complainant
and NAACP LRT and mitigates confusion that often results from
verbal ONLY scenarios.