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The Frog Farm Issue 02
Welcome to the second installment of the Frog Farm. We hope you have had
a chance to formulate some questions or comments on the first mailing.
With no further ado, let's dive into our five pieces:
1) Elements of a Preferred Courtroom Strategy
2) Various and Sundry Case Law w/comments
3) Common Law School Held By Popular Demand?
4) So what the heck are these Ashwander Rules, anyway?
5) Edited notes taken at John del Buono's 9th Amendment seminar
**
ELEMENTS OF STRATEGY
Research all pertinent statutes, rules, regulations, legislative history,
court cases, and treatises. In short, become an expert on the narrow points
of law of the case. Get a guide to "A Guide to Federal Agency Rule
Making."
Project the position of underdog, intelligence, honesty, fear, indignation,
issue of principle/belief, determination, calm, non-antagonism, non-arrogance.
Don't do, say or write anything that may be used against you legally or
politically (foul language, threats, radical invectiveness, and so on).
Draw battle-lines on important political issue championed by many of the
public, even if they are only of secondary importance to your case.
Publicity: Expose wrong-doing by government/court.
Limit your opponent's options through unilateral discovery, FOIA,
jurisdiction, behaving impeccably in public and condemnation of
adversaries' acts.
Don't limit your options: Don't itemize your defenses, give information
enabling your opponents' preparation to meet defense or amendment of charge to
your detriment.
Ensure your credibility: Only one adversary per battle, if possible. Don't
add names or issues to the debate.
Don't alienate any potential supporters by ignoring the "one adversary, one
issue" rule.
Don't appear to be a legal know-it-all. It may work in a seminar, but no
chance with the general public. Ideally, the legal knowledge or other
assistance comes from "unknown" supporters; at least, it should appear that
way to most Joe Sixpacks who are naturally suspicious of rationality and
reason.
If the public perceives that you are capable of handling yourself and are not
the underdog, they will likely withdraw their support, especially if you are
filing offensive actions as opposed to defensive.
The ideal defense team will possess these components:
Political advisor
Public relations man/media liaison
Charismatic trial lawyer
Expert in law theory
Expert in legal issues at bar
Expert in courtroom rules and procedure
Law clerk/researcher
Constitutionalist/historian
Courier
Resource/Funding
Do not sign your name frivolously.
Six Steps of Action