In support of PEOPLE UNITED FOR LEGAL SYSTEM EQUALITY (P.U.L.S.E.) and its mission to protect the right of ALL AMERICANS to self-representation in state and federal courts without penalty, prejudice or abuse, the undersigned hereby state the following:

I BELIEVE every citizen has a constitutional right to self-representation in any legal proceeding, and the judiciary has a duty to honor, protect and accommodate that right.

I BELIEVE that since the right to self-representation is constitutionally protected, the choice to utilize non-lawyer resources and alternatives to aid the self-litigant is equally protected as an expression of that right and should not be prohibited by any attorney bar associations, the courts or the government.

I BELIEVE that anyone who chooses to exercise the right of self-representation should not suffer harassment, humiliation, retribution or bias from any judge, opposing attorney or court personnel for deciding to express that right.

I BELIEVE the courts are public institutions dedicated to the just, equitable and affordable adjudication of legal claims, and not a venue to service the professional and commercial interests of lawyers or special interest groups.

I BELIEVE attorney bar associations exists primarily to protect and lobby for the professional and commercial interests of lawyers.

I SUPPORT amending “Unauthorized Practice of Law” statutes and regulations so that Pro Se Litigants have the freedom to use whatever helpful and cost-effective non-lawyer alternatives, tools and resources that exist to aid them in their self-representation efforts.

I BELIEVE that the judiciary has a legal and moral obligation to make the courts more user-friendly, hospitable, accountable, and reasonably accommodating to anyone exercising their right to self-representation.

I OPPOSE any rule, regulation, statute, case law or policy which forces litigants to hire lawyers, obstruct or prevent the right to self-representation, and/or discourages the utilization of helpful and cost-effective non-lawyer alternatives, tools and resources that exist to aid them in their self-representation efforts.

I SUPPORT reforms that promote fair and equitable treatment of Pro Se Litigants; encourage the use of non-lawyer alternatives, tools and resources; and abolish policies and practices which give lawyers special treatment and preferences.

I SUPPORT the development and obligatory attendance of annual Pro Se Litigant “sensitivity training” sessions for the benefit of all judges, lawyers and court personnel.

I SUPPORT reforms that permit court personnel to provide Pro Se Litigants with the same information, guidance and assistance that they provide to lawyers, including the dispensing of procedural information.

I OPPOSE any case law or judicial policy which punitively mandates that Pro Se Litigants “think, speak and act” like attorneys. Although Pro Se Litigants typically lack the education, training and experience that lawyers have, they are still entitled to a fair and equitable adjudication of their legal claims. Presuming otherwise deprives the self-litigant of their constitutional right to due process.