Questions

If you call the Complaint Line of the Berkeley Chapter of the ACLU at (831) 622-9894, our volunteer staff may ask some of the questions listed below. They may also encourage you to write our Legal Committee at:

Legal Committee, B.A.R.K. Plus Chapter ACLU
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Berkeley, CA ?

If you have an emergency and no volunteers can be reached, call the Northern California ACLU Hotline at (415) 621-2488 on weekdays during business hours.

If you write to us, attempt to be as concise as possible--one page and any supporting documents. The following questions may help you write your letter:

• If your complaint involves a specific incident or series of incidents, what happened? Who was involved? Where and when did it happen? Were there witnesses, and are they willing to tell your attorney what they saw?
   
• In what way do you believe your rights were violated? Why do you believe this incident occurred?
   
• What kind of resolution are you seeking? What would you like us to do on your behalf?
   
• Have you filed a complaint or appeal with any other agencies? If so, has there been an outcome?
   
• Have you contacted an attorney or other source of legal assistance? What was the result? Does an attorney currently represent you? If so, have you told your attorney that you have requested our assistance? Will you authorize us to speak with her/him?
   
• Are you aware of any deadlines you might be facing?
   
• If you are a prisoner or detainee who has a complaint concerning the conditions of your confinement or detention, you must exhaust all grievance procedures before contacting us. If this is the case, please be prepared to provide a detailed description of the grievance procedures you followed.
   
• What kind of supporting documents do you have? (If you have more than 2-3 pages of documents, please do not send them with your initial letter. We will contact you if we need to examine them.)