Family Law

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests

By Ben Stevens

Jeanne M. Hannah has began a new feature at her Updates in Michigan Family Law blog, called "Jeanne's Toolkit", which aims to help both new and experienced lawyers perform certain tasks.  The first tool helps you get to the right desk with requests in any state and at all federal agencies under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The fact is that family law attorneys often need copies of public records. These can range from police reports to protective service worker's reports to information about a serviceperson in the armed services. The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) compels the agency or governmental department holding the records to produce them within ten days of the request.

The fastest, easiest way to generate these requests is the FOIA Letter Generator, from the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press.  You simply select the appropriate state or federal agency, specify what type of information you are seeking, and it generates the letter for you!

Source:  "Jeanne's Toolbox - FOIA Requests" by Jeanne M. Hannah, published at her Updates in Michigan Family Law blog.

Full post as published by SC Family Law Blog on July 17, 2009 (boomark / email).