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Re: I am wanting to sue my local city in circuit court and I can not afford a lawyer. How can I research and prepare a case for myself ?
Vernon O'Neil May 10, 2016 10:27 AM (in response to Jennie Ellis)Once heard you can't fight city hall...but good luck!
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Re: I am wanting to sue my local city in circuit court and I can not afford a lawyer. How can I research and prepare a case for myself ?
Marie MaxwellMay 10, 2016 11:10 AM (in response to Jennie Ellis)
2 people found this helpfulWell I can't help with preparing a case, but we can try to help with research if you clarify what is the historical topic you are researching and what you've already uncovered already.
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Re: I am wanting to sue my local city in circuit court and I can not afford a lawyer. How can I research and prepare a case for myself ?
Jennie Ellis May 13, 2016 5:55 AM (in response to Marie Maxwell)1 person found this helpfulMarie Maxwell, thank you for replying to my message. I am trying to find any past records on any court cases where a person has sued a local city. I am trying as best as I can to research and prepare for my own case against my local city, as well as, my local water utility company. I have just begun my research so, I haven't uncovered any info as of yet. Although, any information from you or all others would be greatly appreciated. Such as, where best to search for past records of similar court cases. Or even where to search for possible legal representation. Any information at all, or any ideas as to where to look, once again, will be appreciated. Thank you, Jennie Ellis
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Re: I am wanting to sue my local city in circuit court and I can not afford a lawyer. How can I research and prepare a case for myself ?
Marie MaxwellMay 16, 2016 8:16 AM (in response to Jennie Ellis)
4 people found this helpfulJennie Ellis that's helpful. Cities are sued all the time, and depending on how your locality is set up there is probably a general council office that deals with various lawsuits filed from police misconduct to ADA non-compliance. However, from my quick Googly-eyed search there may be certain particular ways to go about this which getting legal council is strongly advised. There are attorney's offices that take a portion of the settlement that won't cost you too much in up front costs. Depending on what the matter is and what state and jurisdiction it is in there may be a statute of limitations so you may have to find a lawyer anyway.
Now if time is not a factor, and this is strictly a research topic, I'd recommend just going to your local court house and asking in the civil section (not the criminal part) as nicely as possible, about how to find court cases against the particular city department you are interested in. This is probably a whole lot cheaper than the most efficient manner of looking on Lexis/Nexis. Also reach out to you local librarian who could point you to free resources or databases the local library is subscribed to. Maybe they have a court-lawsuit kind of subscription.
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Re: I am wanting to sue my local city in circuit court and I can not afford a lawyer. How can I research and prepare a case for myself ?
Jennie Ellis May 17, 2016 5:59 AM (in response to Marie Maxwell)1 person found this helpfulDear Marie Maxwell...thank you so much for your ideas. You have been most helpful and I appreciate it. Should you have anymore ideas please let me know. Also, you mentioned something about my searching on something called Lexis/Nexis, can you tell me more about this Lexis/Nexis please? And to all other readers, should you have any ideas please let me know also. Thank you, Jennie Ellis
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Re: I am wanting to sue my local city in circuit court and I can not afford a lawyer. How can I research and prepare a case for myself ?
Marie MaxwellMay 17, 2016 8:05 AM (in response to Jennie Ellis)
2 people found this helpfulLexisNexis is a company and several of their products include research tools for legal professionals, but their databases tend to be priced in a way that law offices and law schools have access. In other words, if lawyers are expensive their database is too.
Your local reference librarian maybe able to point you towards free resources or help you find non-profit organizations in your area that may provide assistance.
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Re: I am wanting to sue my local city in circuit court and I can not afford a lawyer. How can I research and prepare a case for myself ?
Jennie Ellis May 18, 2016 6:00 AM (in response to Marie Maxwell)Marie Maxwell, thank you for this information and thank you for all of your help too.
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