As a charitable organization, the Defendant Aid Society serves individuals and families who are in need of defending themselves in a court of law.
Liberty is at the core of what unites Americans; and assisting those who find themselves standing alone in a courtroom with liberty on the line (as a parent, as a businessman, or simply as a citizen) – this is the mission of D.A.S.
Courtrooms and legal processes have become so highly technical and expensive that normal citizens tend to try and avoid court at all costs. When a situation arises where they cannot avoid it, the courtroom and its processes are foreign, intimidating and overwhelming. This separates Americans from the court. It works great injustice, especially when its the government versus a citizen. It too often results in people forfeiting or abandoning rights, sometimes without knowing it.
The extreme cost also make it common for attorneys to avoid spending time with clients to provide complete explanations; it makes it impossible for average people to hire attorneys, and even then clients are hesitant to ask questions and to ensure they understand the law and local processes. The result, again, is injustice. Finally, most non-profit legal work is either highly partisan or given to overworked, overloaded public defense attorneys. These circumstances create a tremendous gap in American civil where everyday citizens can’t meaningfully participate in legal proceedings and do not feel comfortable in America’s courtrooms. Injustice and failing confidence in the law follows.
Area #1 – Assistance to Defendants.
The Defendant Aid Society helps “defendants” from all walks of life; to understand, use, and advocate for their liberties. We primarily accomplish this through free or low-cost products and services. For any particular case or circumstance these services are provided a a substantially discounted low-cost fee structure (or on occasion, pro bono) and can include:
- Case Reviews, Second Opinions.
- Document Reviews, Legal Strategy Sessions, Feedback on Existing Legal Circumstances.
- Paralegal, Research and Clerical Assistance to Pro Se (self-represented) parties.
- Paralegal, Research, and Clerical Assistance to Existing Attorneys (Reducing Legal Costs).
- Litigation Strategy, Assessment, Review.
- Legal Representation By D.A.S. Affiliated Attorneys.
- Family and Personal Consulting, Explanations of the Law and Legal Processes, Civic and Legal Training, Teaching, and General Communication Assistance with Legal Professionals.
Area #2 – Assistance to Inmates.
Inmates in city, state, federal and private jails and prisons have a constant need to connect with the outside world. Inmates need communication with family and friends, the ability obtain information (like legal information) and the ability to get help – socially, religiously, personally and legally. Similarly, for a virtually unlimited number of reasons, there are also those outside the prisons and jails have a need to connect.
In virtually all circumstance inmates have rights to communicate with the outside world, and failures in jail and prison administration often make these circumstances more limited, frustrating and difficult than necessary (and often more difficult than the law allows). For a variety of reasons inmates, by themselves, are often simply unable to take full advantage of the communication and interaction allowed by law – particularly related to family, friends, and legal resources.
Thus, the Defendant Aid Society helps inmates better understand, use, and advocate for their liberties. We primarily accomplish this through pro bono (free) or low-cost inmate services which can include:
- Assistance with Prison/Jail Rules and Administrative Procedures
- (This includes help with filings, responses, official document, etc.)
- Advocacy by Contacting Decision Makers
- (Institution leadership, community leaders, politicians, and other individuals who have oversight and influence with the operation of prisons and jails.)
- Case Reviews, Second Opinions.
- Document Reviews, Legal Strategy Sessions, Feedback on Existing Legal Circumstances.
- (In federal institutions this includes FSA and CARES Act issues).
- Paralegal, Research and Clerical Assistance to Pro Se (self-represented) parties.
- (For example: habeas petitions, civil rights suits, § 3582 filings, etc.).
- Paralegal, Research, and Clerical Assistance to Existing Attorneys (Reducing Legal Costs).
- Litigation Strategy, Assessment, Review.
- Legal Representation By a D.A.S. Affiliated Attorneys.
- Family and Personal Consulting, Explanations of the Law and Legal Processes, Civic and Legal Training, Teaching, and General Communication Assistance with Legal Professionals.
Due to the unique nature of supporting inmates; a core service we provide is an Inmate Support Email service. Inmates who have access to email can subscribe to D.A.S.’s inmate support service. The main email address is info@defendantaidsociety.org. Whether it’s getting making contact with an aged relative, finding an attorney, getting information online, facilitating mail or communication, or serious legal research and assistance – the free email service is the starting point for inmate support.
To get started inmates should add D.A.S. to their approved institution contacts.
Defendant Aid Society
Jewel K. Franklin, Executive Director
10808 South River Front Parkway, Suite #3046
South Jordan, Utah 84095
info@defendantaidsociety.org
(435) 772-9390
Area #3 – Liberty Protection Clinics & Training.
Unfortunately, it is common for individuals, families and businessmen in America to be quite surprised and unprepared when government regulators, bureaucrats or prosecutors have decided to target – them. Local, state and federal over-reach is increasingly common – and when you find yourself facing the government, it is to late to begin learning what to do to legitimately protect your liberty and advocate for your defense. Tax issues, family issues, white collar business issues, even criminal conspiracy charges can surprise even the most unsuspecting Americans.
Contrary to the causal and prevalent modern attitude by huge segments of our society: “Well, if you don’t do anything wrong you don’t have anything to worry about” the brutal truth becomes shockingly apparent when YOU find yourself or your loved one in the cross-hairs. The stress, the financial reality of hiring lawyers who will actually fight and defend you, and the reality of what it takes to defend yourself or your loved one in the the un-level playing field of our current system – is overwhelming.
The Defendant Aid Society conducts specialized clinics, seminars, and offers distance-learning courses to help individuals, families and businesses learn how to pro-actively take steps, live, and conduct themselves so as to avoid triggering overzealous government officials and to try and ensure that they will never inadvertently find themselves standing alone in a courtroom with the government on the other side.
