I am a small time activist in Oklahoma, and I frequently find myself in situations where it would be very helpful to send scary lawyer legalese letters.
I was listening to the podcast “Weird Little Guys” and one of the losers discussed on the show managed to get certified to practice law by attending YMCA night school so that he could fight school integration.
How could I pull off something similar? Not looking to really take clients/make money, but it would be really helpful with things like my states non-enforcement of its open records act.
I know this wouldn’t be a short term project, but what would be the easiest/cheapest routes?
So, there’s nothing preventing you from making legal claims. As long as you’re not saying/implying that you’re an attorney, or accepting money for legal advice, I don’t think youre breaking the law or being unethical.
There is some additional weight from writing a letter form a legal office. But a well written letter citing statutes and threatening penalties and lawsuits could be as threatening.
Open records law should be pretty clear - so you should be able to be pretty clear about what the agency’s requirements and penalties are - even without a legal degree. Also, don’t underestimate the power of showing up at a board meeting and being a pest by saying the agency is breaking the law.