Families Shoulder to Shoulder provides support services for people affected by the criminal legal process - defendants, incarcerated individuals, and their communities.
If you or a loved one would like assistance in navigating the process, please fill out our service request form.
Request ServicesCourtrooms can be intimidating, and too often, defendants face them alone. Our court support program ensures that never happens. We organize groups of supporters to attend court dates, filling the room with allies who stand in solidarity with the person on trial. This visible show of community backing sends a strong message to judges, juries, and prosecutors that the individual is valued and supported.
We also bring in formerly incarcerated individuals to speak in court about rehabilitation, reentry, and the importance of second chances. Their testimony offers firsthand insight into the potential for transformation and the importance of community support after incarceration. Packing the courtroom not only impacts individual cases, it also challenges the narrative that those facing charges are isolated or without worth.
The period immediately after an arrest is one of the most critical times in a case. We attend arraignment and bail hearings to provide visible, vocal support for the accused and their family. Our presence in the courtroom demonstrates to the judge that the person has deep community connections and is not a flight risk, key factors that can influence bail amounts or conditions.
We also help families understand the bail process, potential options for pretrial release, and how to advocate for fair bail amounts or non-monetary release. By showing up at this early stage, we can help prevent unnecessary pretrial detention, which often leads to lost jobs, housing instability, and even worse case outcomes.
The clemency and pardons process can be daunting, confusing, and emotionally overwhelming for families. We walk alongside families every step of the way. Our team helps prepare formal applications, gather and organize supporting documents, and ensure that all legal and procedural requirements are met.
We also assist in building the strongest possible clemency or pardon case by compiling personal histories, rehabilitation records, release plans, and letters of support from the community. On hearing day, we attend in person, offering moral support to the family, ensuring they feel confident in telling their loved one’s story, and demonstrating to decision-makers that this person’s freedom matters deeply to the people around them.
Youth caught in the justice system face unique challenges and vulnerabilities. Our juvenile hearing support focuses on advocating for rehabilitation and second chances rather than punitive measures. We guide families through each step of the process, explaining legal terminology and timelines, and helping them prepare for court appearances.
We also connect families with youth-focused resources such as mentorship programs, educational opportunities, counseling, and restorative justice initiatives. Our advocacy stresses the potential of young people to grow, change, and contribute positively to society if given the right support—and we work to make sure judges, prosecutors, and probation officers see that potential too.
