Re: fund raising for my case

[Lernermichelle]

Tonya,       There is no legal organization in the country that pays local attorneys to take cases, and ALDF certainly doesn't.  They have an office with, I think, an ED, 2 lawyers, and one or more administrative staff, and that is a lot of costs. Then there are the costs of the litigation that they do, which is large-- discovery, depositions, trial preparation, hiring expert witnesses, etc., as well as speaking engagements (they don't get paid for them usually-- I know because I brought someone from ALDF to my law school when I was a law student), lobbying, etc.       As far as federal court-- there is a lot of legal thought that goes into whether things are better filed in state or federal court. An ordinance or law can be ruled unconstitutional in state court as well as federal court.  In state court, you can argue both federal and state constitutional issues, whereas federal courts normally (though not always) avoid ruling on issues of state law.  Federal court is usually chosen only in particular situations or where the state courts are really bad and a case can be made in federal court.  But again it is a decision that an attorney would make after considering various legal issues.  For a nonlawyer to say something should be in federal versus state court is sort of like a nondoctor saying where a surgeon should make a cut in doing surgery. It is a technical issue.   Michelle   In a message dated 12/27/2005 11:01:56 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Thanks Michelle,   Although your explanation is kind of depressing!  I thought that's ALDF did pay attorneys in various areas to take cases such as this.  I thought that's where the membership money went.  I realize they are always going to be more than overwhelmed, as is everyone who works with any kind of animal issues, but I thought if a lot of people donated money to them FOR Hideyo's case it would be a cheaper way to go........   Also, I think the limit laws ARE unconstitutional and I think it does need to go to Federal Court.  (Not Hideyo's case specifically, but limits in general)  We have a few attorneys here in the Atlanta area that take on animal cases, and they wouldn't work totally pro bono either, but I'm sure they would do the best they could.  I hope this attorney will take Hideyo's case in the same manner.  I think I mentioned I've known of several in my area that had to go through this.  Some moved.  One moved animals around for a while and skirted the issue, etc.... They were not personal friends so I don't know the specifics.  I do know that it cost them a lot of money with attorneys and they got basically nowhere. :(   That's why I'd like to see it go to court as being unconstitutional.  Which it is!!!!!!!!!!!  If it's not unconstitutional for people to have as many children as they want then I don't see a difference.  It p*sses me off totally!   t