We're still here!
from Brenda Grantland, FEAR Board President
In the last couple of months
we didn't have time to update the FEAR website, and FEAR-List bulletins
were far less frequent, but we're still alive and kicking. As a
nonprofit organization reduced to volunteers only, it's been very hard
lately. We've had to downsize and reorganize several times in the
past year -- but now we've finally struck a balance that will allow the
organization to survive until financial conditions improve.
Last week, I gave up my office at 265 Miller Avenue, which means FEAR
can no longer get mail there. As a result, FEAR's mailing address has changed back to 20
Sunnyside, Suite A-419, Mill Valley, CA 94941. Please make
note in your address book.
On the positive side, FEAR's phone line is now permanently
forwarded to a professional answering service. That means calls
to the FEAR phone line will now be answered 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week. Best of all, they will be able to forward calls that need
special attention through to the appropriate FEAR volunteer during
normal business hours. The people at the answering service are
all very friendly and professional, and they care about our cause.
Also on the positive side, my reduced overhead will soon allow me to
resume work (part time) on Volume II of FEAR's Asset Forfeiture Defense
Manual.
Because I'll still be practicing law almost full time, there are no
promises for when we'll be able to publish it. So far our crew of
coauthors/contributors for volume II includes Jody Neal-Post, Shawn
Perez and Judy Osburn.
The second issue of FEAR
Foundation Journal
may also be in the works soon, if we get sufficient donations to cover
the costs of printing, postage and handling, and Judy Osburn's stipend
for editing it. As the funding permits, we would like to make the
next issue available for free to public defender and indigent criminal
defense bar organizations. If your defender organization would be
willing to work with us on this task, please email me.
A number of forfeiture lawyers have signed up for the FEAR Forfeiture
Attorney Directory during our special offer of a free listing for
the first year. This offer officially ended July 4, 2004, but we
are extending the "first year free" offer to forfeiture lawyers who sign up before September
30, 2004.
Last month we added several new motions and briefs to FEAR's online Brief Bank.
Access is to the Brief Bank is limited to dues paying members of
FEAR. To join, and promptly get access to the Brief Bank, use PayPal and this order form.
Forfeiture
attorneys -- we need your excellent motions, briefs and discovery
requests for our Brief Bank! Indigent forfeiture victims forced to
represent themselves especially need your sample pleadings. Check
the Index
by Type of Motion, Brief or Pleading to see what sample pleadings and forms we're missing.
The rest of you -- get involved! If you care about our cause, volunteer!