I am not a lawyer, however I can teach my readers here how to do a simple Freedom Of Information Act request. If you want information from ANY government agency, the law states that they MUST provide it to you IF they have it on file. However, last I checked, the government does NOT have to convert the format of the information to a form that you can read, if it is archived in some other form than you would like. Also, the law does not compel a government agency to create reports for you out of data they may have on file. For example:

In the case where government records are archived on IBM punch cards, the FOIL law does not require them to take the punch cards and create a (paper) report for you to read. You might find that the data you requested (especially if it's something they don't REALLY want to disclose) arrives in the mail as a 1/2" magnetic computer tape, or a stack of IBM punch cards. In the second scenario, if you request, say, recidivism statistics for a State's prison system for a particular group of individuals, or for a specific facility, don't be surprised if the response is "This data does not exist". They are not compelled by law to go through their data (for the entire State), cull out only the data you want, and generate a report for you. In that case, you must request all of the information for the entire State, then cull the data or generate the statistical report yourself.

However, FOIL requests are very useful in getting information from the government. Courts and police departments usually do not respond at all to FOIA / FOIL requests about an open case or "ongoing investigation". However, the law clerks working in some small town or municipality may not realize that they do not have to comply, and send you what you request even though you are not legally entitled to have it. The more authoritative and professional your letter looks, the more likely you will get results. Follow the format of the letter below

I have prepared form letters for you, so all you have to do is type the names and addresses, and what your request is.

When you click on the links below, your word processor will start, and the letter will be sent to you. You can then save a copy of it and exit the word processor to come right back here, or you can work on your letter right then.

NOTE: PDF versions are not included below because you have to edit the FOIL letter to add your name and address.

Get a GENERAL FOIL Request form letter in your word processor format

Get a FOIL Request letter for DAV-IG report in your word processor format
 

SAMPLE FOIL LETTER
                                                                                                
Your name and address goes here >>>>>   Michael J. Bitsko ^[1]
                                                                                                                        555  156 th. Street,
                                                                                                                        GroovyLand, USA, 55550

Some Government Agency or                    <<<<<<< Name and address of the government agency goes here
Organization affiliated wit the government,             
Anywhere, USA, 22221


            Gentlemen,

            This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act, and Freedom of Information Law (FOIA / FOIL) Title 5 USC §552 and Title 5 USC §552(a).

            Please provide the following documents and records as requested, or in the alternative, please provide the information I seek to have disclosed by the release of those records. 

            According to law, you have 10 (ten) business days to respond to this request. Please inform me if the retrieval of the requested information will take longer than 15 business days.  

            PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING RECORDS:

<<< INSERT YOUR REQUEST HERE >>>

a) A true copy of the 2005 budget for the Cetral Intelligence Agency            b) A list of Federal Agencies that occupied the World Trade Center as of September 11, 2001           c) A true copy of the autopsy photos of John F. Kennedy taken at Parkland Hospital on November 22, 1963      >>> Be as specific as possible here; cite "chapter and verse" if possible.            Your request is moe likely to be granted if you are specific enough to let them know that you know that the information you are requesting actually exists.                     

<<< BE AS SPECIFIC AS POSSIBLE >>>

                                                            Respectfully, 

                                                            Michael J. Bitsko