Free or Low-Cost Legal Resources

Unfortunately, our national motto has become When in doubt…sue!Ours is the only country that has never implemented tort reform, meaning anyone can sue you for almost any reason and it will cost you – even you’re innocent!

It’s been estimated that we pay on average 25% more for goods and services (especially true for the health profession) because of government regulation and legal costs.The vast majority of the TV lawyer ads seeking plaintiffs for their class action lawsuits result in nearly zero money for the plaintiffs and plenty of bucks for the lawyers.Indeed, the lawyers who sued big tobacco companies on behalf of states, reaped millions for themselves and for the states; however, the states promised to spend the windfall on education programs…in actuality, only one state did as it promised taxpayers.The other 49 simply blew the money on pet projects.

With the average lawyer charging nearly $200 an hour, it’s not hard to see how one can quickly go broke or become bankrupt when embroiled in any kind of legal action.

Institute for Justice

Founded in 1991, the Institute for Justice is what a civil liberties law firm should be. As our nation's only libertarian public interest law firm, we engage in cutting-edge litigation and advocacy both in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion on behalf of individuals whose most basic rights are denied by the government--like the right to earn an honest living, private property rights, and the right to free speech, especially in the areas of commercial and Internet speech. As Wired magazine said, the Institute for Justice “helps individuals subject to wacky government regulations.”

Simply put, we challenge the government when it stands in the way of people trying to earn an honest living, when it unconstitutionally takes away individuals' property, when bureaucrats instead of parents dictate the education of children, and when government stifles speech. We seek a rule of law under which individuals can control their destinies as free and responsible members of society.

Honda Sued Over Hybrid Mileage Claims

When in doubt, sue - Sometimes a good thing…

Heather Peters, a former corporate defense attorney, is urging other disgruntled Honda customers to opt out of a class action lawsuit over the mileage claims, and seek a larger payout in small claims court.

She launched a website "Don'tSettleWithHonda.org" with the intention of taking her legal fight viral.

Peters said claimants could be awarded up to $10,000 in small claims court, as opposed to the $200 in cash and a rebate of $500 to $1,000 toward a new Honda vehicle that will be awarded in the class action settlement.

Small claims court is for the little guy and one doesn’t require the services of an attorney to file such claims.Maximum award amounts range from a paltry $2,500 in AZ to as much as $10,000 in CA.Below you will find additional resources to make use of.

Guide to maximum amount you can sue for in small claims-State by State breakdown

http://www.civiltree.com/library/smallclaims/small4.php

Small Claims Frequently Asked Questions

Use the court form "SmallClaims Writ and Notice of Suit," JD-CV-40. Type or neatly print your information on the forms. ... Where do I go to file a smallclaims case? www.jud.ct.gov/faq/smallclaims.html

Free PDF general guide to filing a small claims suit
http://www.courtclerk.org/forms/smallclaimsguide.pdf

Unnecessary laws are not good laws, but traps for money.

--Thomas Hobbes

There is no longer any stability in our legal system. Once our nation shifted from Natural and Common Law ideals to those of Political Law, no one can predict from one administration to the next what is permissible and what is not. Most recently, this, along with our uncertain tax laws has caused uncertainty among business leaders which prevents them from hiring.

Most larger businesses know doing business in America is a joke due to its constant court ordered mandates, unlegislated bureaucratic rules and other constant changes. In short, we’re always in a state of flux which causes turmoil in the markets.

Political law has also kept our God given rights in a state of flux. The government seems to think they grant us permission to travel, to do business, to write, publish or speak. Government at all levels is quick to deny those rights on the slightest, unfounded whim since 911 and the creation of the unPatriot Act.

America is the most heavily regulated society on earth and it’s been reported state lawmakers issue some 200 million laws every ten years. Collectively, we have more than 500 million laws, something no rational society can keep up with, but then again, our government is no longer rational.

As I write this a MI prosecutor has filed charges again a man for looking at his wife’s email without her permission. If convicted of this non-crime, he faces up to five years in prison and the flatworm of a prosecutor will get on TV in her indignant manner and chastise anyone who dare dream of performing this felonious act.

The legal system has ruined this country and discouraged business and job growth. There are many firms who will not do business in America because of our out of control legal system. No doubt you recall the time when all the states got together with a big law firm to sue Big Tobacco with the promise the proceeds would benefit children’s education. With one exception, 49 state governments lied to the American people and of course, the lawyers got rich and the states blew their ill-gotten gains on pork projects. You cannot trust a government based on political law.

The American Trial Lawyers Association is a very successful lobbying group. As a result of their efforts, we are the only country in the world which does not have tort reform, a very costly mistake for American jobs. It also adds costs to everthing we purchase including our auto and homeowner insurance...estimated at 25% in higher prices.

When in doubt…Sue! The American National Motto

In the previous issue I wrote there are two basic laws. Allow me to remind you of what they are:

>>Do all you have agreed to do.

>>Do not encroach on other persons or their property

Since the 1930s, America has been falling into the Dark Ages of law. Laws vacillate in the wind, according to the whim of whichever party is in office. Politicians of both parties have sought to make us more of a democracy rather than a republic and this is something our founders absolutely warned against as majority rule is dangerous. Any sociologist will tell of the bandwagon factor which influences how people vote. Rarely does the individual look at the long term effect of any law and its true cost to society. Marijuana laws are a good example. No one ever got ‘juiced up’ on pot and went on a crime binge. History is filled with examples of folks who got drunk and committed crime, yet pot is bad and offenders fill our jails and penalize our community resources.

The Three Liars of Society include >Legislators >Lawyers and >Lobbyists. No other group in history has done more damage to our Bill of Rights and Constitution.

As far as I’m concerned, Washington has sold our Liberty Bell for scrap. Instead of common sense or common law, prosecutors and politicians now use the blackjack approach to hijacking our rights and undermining our system.

Protection of the innocent is no longer a concern. The law is strictly a punitive tool to enforce whichever behavior is no longer in vogue. In recent years just about everything has come under attack, from gun ownership and tobacco use to wearing a seat belt. Most of the time, it’s not for public safety, it’s to put more cash in government coffers.

As citizens, these government agencies and prosecutors are supposed to be working for us. When they don’t perform, they need to be removed from office. Most of them seem to have forgotten they took an oath, perhaps they need a strong reminder.

Natural law and common law are superior to political law and was made famous prior our American Revolution by Rev. Jonathan Mayhew. Political law is arbitrary.

The vigor of Mayhew’s sermons established his reputation. It was published not only in Boston, but also in London in 1752 and again in 1767. In Boston, John Adams remembered long afterward that Mayhew’s sermon, “was read by everybody.” Some would say later that this sermon was the first volley of the American Revolution, setting forth the intellectual and scriptural justification for rebellion against the Crown.

Natural law or the law of nature has been described as a law whose content is set by nature and that therefore has validity everywhere. As classically used, natural law refers to the use of reason to analyze human nature and deduce binding rules of moral behavior.

If our country were under external attack, we’d all race to the rescue. Why aren’t we defending our freedom and rights from these domestic political terrorists?

In the US the sanctimonious maxim that “Ignorance of the law is no excuse’ puts every citizen at risk. This notion may have been a sound rule in simpler times, when the catalog of offenses was limited to traditional offenses…but it’s a sinister joke when applied to the 6 foot long shelf of criminal codes at the federal and state level. Moreover, no one today can rely on a straightforward meaning of the law as they have become twisted, subject to the whims of whichever prosecutor is in office becoming utterly arbitrary and deliberately unclear! In many respects, these prosecutors would be considered traitors under Colonial law.

I’ve included a link below to legal resources that are either free or low cost and which cover many areas of law. Although geared primarily to MI contacts, many of the resources lend themselves to folks in any state…use this as a starting point.

Pro Bono Legal Services

The odds of never facing legal action are not in your favor, after all, our country is run by lawyers and the American Bar Association is a big time Washington DC lobbyist.

Despite that, there are many lawyers willing to work on a pro bono (free) basis and you can find links to various services (even state by state listings) at the American Bar Association site.Keep in mind, many of these groups have income level criteria.You can also contact your state bar association directly (online search or use the blue pages of most phone directories.

http://www.abanet.org/home.html

Legal Services Corporation is a collection of more than 250 government supported local offices that provide free legal services in their area.Over 5000 attorneys and paralegals are available to individuals and families that are under certain income limits.To find an office near you, call them at: 202-336-8800 or check their site:

www.lsc.gov

lsc.gov/fundprogram.htm provides a state by state listing…or try the blue pages in your local phone directory.

Have your civil rights been violated?The Rutherford Inst. Defends people who have been denied civil and human rights without charge.Parental rights, sexual harassment, religious freedom, civil rights are among the areas they cover.

www.rutherford.org or call 434-978-3888 in Charlottesville, VA

If you belong to a union, national trade association, fraternal organization or other national group, you’ll find they offer free or lower cost legal referrals.Keep in mind too that paralegals can offer services at much lower costs.For example, need a simple divorce or bankruptcy?Most paralegals charge about $200 and will offer filing assistance (but no legal advice).Use your local Yellow Pages to locate one in your area.

Just Answer.com allows you to ask general legal questions online without charge. Visit:

Justanswer.com

Judge Joe Brown – my favorite judge (I get a kick out of him) offers a variety of free legal stuff at his site.Visit:

http://www.judgejoebrown.com/resources.php

Pre-Paid Legal Plans

There are a number of firms offering these plans and some employers offer them as a benefit.Most often, this is a good idea because all it takes is one visit to a lawyer to recoup your membership investment.Most offer a variety of plans and often include identity theft protection programs as well.It’s a form of insurance and as such, read through the offers carefully.For instance, if you have no minor children, you probably don’t want coverage for support or custody issues.

Here are a few you can review (I’m not affiliated with any)

http://www.prepaidplans.com/

http://www.prepaidlegal-services.net/

http://prepaidlegalservicesnbg.com/index.html

Additional thoughts and resources:

• If you’re a member of the military, visit your local JAG office

• Live near a law school?Check to see if they offer a legal clinic

• Look through your Yellow Pages to find a Legal Aid Society office

• nolo.com/Offers a large selection of self help law resources

• AARP offers discounted legal help to its members: http://www.aarp.org/makeadifference/gettinghelp/articles/li_welcome.html

Finally, if you want to do your own skip-tracing, background searches, etc.

This is a useful site to use:

http://www.freecollectiontools.com/