SEBA Legal Trust Fund: What is it and why does it exist?

Peace officers and public safety employees can sometimes face legal trouble just for doing their jobs. To help protect them, the Sheriff’s Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) created the Legal Trust Fund. This fund provides legal services to members when they need it.

The fund is managed by a Board of Trustees, who oversee how it works and make sure it provides legal help through a prepaid legal services plan.

Who Can Use the Legal Trust Fund?

To receive benefits, you must be:

  • A current or reserve peace officer or public safety employee, as defined below, and

  • A SEBA member in good standing who pays into the Legal Trust Fund.

What is a "Peace Officer"?

A peace officer is:

  • Any active peace officer, or

  • A reserve peace officer certified by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).

Retired peace officers who return to work for the County of San Bernardino in a role that still requires peace officer powers and are current SEBA members are also included.

What is a "Public Safety Employee"?

A public safety employee is:

  • Anyone working for a law enforcement or public safety agency who is not a peace officer,

  • And is a SEBA member or has contributions made in their name to the fund.

Retired public safety employees who return to work for the County in a public safety role and are current SEBA members are also covered.

What Does the Legal Trust Fund Cover?

  • Disciplinary Actions:
    If you're facing a disciplinary action from your department (even for something that happened off duty), the fund will provide legal help through your Skelly hearing.

Civil or Criminal Cases:
If you’re sued or charged with a crime because of something that happened in the course of your duty, you may also get legal help. This is decided by the PORAC Legal Defense Fund, which works with a legal services provider under contract.

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