Filing an Amici Curiae Brief Supporting Heller

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Like everybody on the form, I am more than mildly interested in District of Columbia vs Heller. I am interested in filing an amici curiae brief supporting Heller.

I am not a lawyer, so I would be filing pro se. Having been involved in several civil cases, doing some rather extensive research in legal documents, and writing as a kind of para legal a number of cases where I was the technical expert on the issues of the case, I think I can write legal enough to make my points clear.

I am completing some project work in an area of the county (Bloomburgville) where my personal situation is analogous to Heller’s in the District of Columbia, and I want to provide to the Court that experience to expand their view of the issues.

In reviewing www.supremecourtus.gov, I can not find

  1. the format for
  2. the filing date for
  3. the method or methods of delivery
to do this.

Are there any lawyers or other legal professionals out there that can answer my questions?
 
THR Well Regulated is in the process of doing just this. I've had a sneak peak at the brief and it is a fine piece of work.

http://www.virginia1774.org/LegalNews.html

As Well Regulated put it to me: "We only get this chance once in a lifetime so if we sit around and do nothing < Smurfslayer redacts the remaining portion >."

The gist of the sentiment is that if we fail to act we'll get what we deserve, let's leave it at that.

As to the requirements: USSC requires a specific font, spacing and there is both a practical and maximum page limit (the 2 are not equal). Several copies, and a lawyer must submit it - one who is admitted to the USSC BAR.

I could buy a new gun about now, but my $$$ is going towards Well Regulated's brief costs.
 
My understanding is that you have to get permission from the SC first to actually file an amicus brief. I also have heard that the very specific printing requirements end up making just the duplication and printing a multi thousand dollar expense. Note I said print. Among other things, the court does not accept xerographic reproductions.

I would leave this to the pros. You won't come up with anything that the pros won't, and you probably won't be allowed to submit anyway. This is not a game for amateurs.
 
You need to get the permission of both parties, or obtain permission of SCOTUS.

What occurs in practice is that the parties trade amicii approval, giving permission to x number of amcii for the other side, conditioned upon the other side giving permission to x number of amicii for your side.

Obtaining the approval of SCOTUS without permission of the parties is based upon the two legal maxims:

1.) Slim; and,
2.) None.
 
Alan Gura and Bob Levy, co-counsel for Heller, are being very choosy (and smart) in regard to amici in this case. They have to be from "heavy hitters" and each one accepted must contribute information that is both important and unique. Moreover, the amici they are coordinating are being maximized for complementarity.

Lots and lots of people are interested in this case, and Gura and Levy have all the bases covered.

So of course, if anyone wants to file an amicus brief on behalf of Heller, it MUST be approved and blessed by Heller's counsel.
 
So of course, if anyone wants to file an amicus brief on behalf of Heller, it MUST be approved and blessed by Heller's counsel.
Click to expand...

Or they could email you and ask you if you wanted to do one...:)
 
You need to get the permission of both parties, or obtain permission of SCOTUS.

What occurs in practice is that the parties trade amicii approval, giving permission to x number of amcii for the other side, conditioned upon the other side giving permission to x number of amicii for your side.

Obtaining the approval of SCOTUS without permission of the parties is based upon the two legal maxims:

1.) Slim; and,
2.) None.
Click to expand...

Sounds a lot like the fox guarding the hen house to me.
 
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