Research

The following is a comprehensive questionnaire that is part of a longitudinal study that is now ten years old. Results are being compiled twice per year.  The results are supporting efforts to obtain Congressional hearings and reforms and changes needed in the judicial system.  The completed questionnaire can be emailed to:legalabuse@gmail.com  

 The purpose of this study is to document litigants= perceptions of our legal system, and to investigate the correlation between Legal    Abuse and the development of Legal Abuse Syndrome. The results of this study will be used to prepare suggested protocols for the state and  federal courts to implement that will address the pro se and LAS issues.

 Personal privacy for all study participants will be fully protected in accordance with:

·     The Privacy Act B http://www.usdoj.gov/foia/privstat.htm

·     HIPAA B http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/hipaa/finalreg.html

 

LEGAL ABUSE SYNDROME B QUESTIONNAIRE -V2                  File Code #____-__________

                                                                                (For Internal Use Only)

 

Seekers of justice routinely report that the United States Court System does not serve their needs.  Not only did those taxpayers find injustice and economic devastation to be the result of their endeavor to resolve problems, they found that their health was negatively impacted as well.  This suggests a public health problem emanating from using the legal system in the U.S.  For the following three reasons, we are conducting a survey to gather information to present to legislators, legal professionals and health professionals in order to effect positive change to the American Justice System.

 

•1.      The Study Authors are concerned that decisions made regarding our justice system are not data-driven; rather it appears that they are politically and profit-driven.  This is a simple survey to gather data from a significant number of users of the justice system.

 

•2.      The Study Authors believe that illness created or exacerbated by the legal system is a preventable public health crisis.

 

•3.      The Study Authors have been unable to get current statistics and data pertaining to the effectiveness of the court/legal system as an affordable, realistic and helpful forum for citizens to resolve problems in a civilized manner.  We have requested data from the U.S. Department of Justice and all other authoritative sources known to us but could find no regulatory or other authority that collects and maintains such statistical data.

 

This questionnaire process is being compiled on behalf of Karin Huffer, MS/MFT, who is a project consultant to Redress, Inc. on the issue of Legal Abuse Syndrome.  In order to learn about Ms. Huffer and her work, please see relevant information to include her curriculum vitae on-line at her web site:  http://www.legalabusesyndrome.org. You may also contact Ms. Huffer through e-mail at legalabuse@gmail.com.

 

PART ONE:  Personal Information (NOTE:  All information will be protected in accordance with the Privacy Act; Personal information requested for contact purposes only)

 

Name (Last, First, Middle Initial)
Birthday (MM-DD-YY)
Address (Street Address, including unit number if applicable)
Address (City State ZIP Code)
Phone (Home)
Phone (Work)
Phone (Cell)
Email
Web Site URL
Educational Levels (Highest Attained)
Disabled	Yes No
Racial Affiliation
Retired	Yes No
Veteran	Yes No
Country of birth
Citizen	Yes No
Employment Status at time of Litigation:
Executive, CEO, CFO
Managerial, Supervisory
Professional
Education
Medical
Legal
Other
Government (Federal, State, Local, County)
Utility Company
Retail/Wholesale
Sales
Science/Research
Media
Arts
Student
Self-Employed
Business Owner
Annual Gross Revenue: (Under $5,000,000/Year)
Annual Gross Revenue: (Over $5,000,000/Year)
Unemployed
Other
Industry
Income at time of litigation (per year)
PART TWO: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Subscale for Invisible Victims
Answer True (T) or False (F); whether your symptoms are current or in the past, your response would be appreciated.
I have a good appetite.	Yes No
I wake up fresh and rested most mornings.	Yes No
My daily life is full of things that keep me interested.	Yes No
Once in a while I think of things too bad to talk about.	Yes No
I am sure I get a raw deal from life.	Yes No
At times I have fits of laughing and/or crying that I can't control.	Yes No
No one seems to understand me.	Yes No
I have nightmares every few nights.	Yes No
I find it hard to keep my mind on a task or job.	Yes No
I have had very peculiar and strange experiences.	Yes No
At times I feel like smashing things.	Yes No
Most anytime I would rather sit and daydream than do anything else.	Yes No
My sleep is fitful and disturbed.	Yes No
I am a good mixer.	Yes No
I have not lived the right kind of life.	Yes No
I wish I could be as happy as others seem to be.	Yes No
I am troubled by discomfort in the pit of my stomach every few days or more often.	Yes No
Most of the time I feel blue.	Yes No
I usually feel that life is worthwhile.	Yes No
I regret things more often than others seem to.	Yes No
At times I have a strong urge to do something harmful or shocking.	Yes No
I don't seem to care what happens to me.	Yes No
Much of the time I feel as if I have done something wrong or evil.	Yes No
I am happy most of the time.	Yes No
Often I feel as if there were a tight band around my head.	Yes No
I believe that my home life is as pleasant as that of most people I know.	Yes No
Sometimes I feel as if I would like to injure either myself or others.	Yes No
I lose out on things because I don't make my mind up fast enough.	Yes No
Most nights I go to sleep without thoughts or ideas bothering me.	Yes No
I have had periods in which I carried on activities without knowing later what I had been doing.	Yes No
I am afraid of losing my mind.	Yes No
I frequently find myself worrying about something.	Yes No
I dream frequently about things that are best kept to myself.	Yes No
I am never happier than when alone.	Yes No
I am so touchy on some subjects that I can't talk about them.	Yes No
Once in a while I think about things too bad to talk about.	Yes No
I have had peculiar and strange experiences.	Yes No
I easily become impatient with people.	Yes No
I have certainly more than my share of things to worry about.	Yes No
If I were dead, it would be okay.	Yes No
Most of the time I wish I were dead.	Yes No
I have strange and peculiar thoughts.	Yes No
I hear strange things when I'm alone.	Yes No
Terrible words come into my mind and I cannot get rid of them.	Yes No
Sometimes some unimportant thought will run through my mind and bother me for days.	Yes No
Even when I'm with people I feel lonely much of the time.	Yes No
I have sometimes felt that difficulties were piling up so high that I could not overcome them.	Yes No
It makes me feel like a failure when I hear of the success of someone I know.	Yes No
Whenever possible I avoid being in a crowd.	Yes No
I don't have the energy to start a new project.	Yes No
Scoring:
Count the number of False answers for questions 1, 2, 3, 14, 19, 24, 26, and Place the total here: ______.
Now count the number of True answers for questions not listed above. Place the total here: ______
Add the totals together and rate degree of interference with a satisfying life:
Manageable discomfort 1 - 8
Life feels distasteful 9 B 17
Interference is of concern 18 B 27
Serious PTSD, needs therapeutic assistance 28 B 50
With slight modification, this test is adapted from Keane, T.M., P.F. Malloy and J.A. Fairbank). Empirical development of an MMPI subscale for the assessment of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 52, 888-891.
PART THREE: Legal Abuse Questionnaire
1. Check each court applicable to your situation:
Appeal
Federal Court
State Court
Bankruptcy Court
Civil Litigation
Federal Court
State Court
Car Accident
Other Accidental Injury (e.g., Slip >n Fall, etc.)
Contract/Civil Dispute
Criminal Matter
Federal Court
State Court
Discrimination
Employment
Family Court
Legal Malpractice
Medical Malpractice
Probate Court
Product Liability
Other
Allegations
Divorce/Family
Drug Court
Mental Health Court
Traffic Court
1. Attorney History:
I retained a private attorney; Name(s)
I was provided a public defender; Name(s)
I paid my attorney(s) to represent me. $
My attorney invested in my case being paid out of winnings (contingency fee).
I went to court without an attorney (pro se or proper person).
2. My beliefs about the court system prior to litigation:
I believed that the legal system would provide relief and justice.
I believed that I had the right to a jury.
I believed that the jury was paid for out of tax dollars.
I believed that the jury could not be manipulated by the judge or any other party.
I felt inspired that the court system was there for me when I needed help.
I believed I could prevail (win).
I believed that all persons would tell the truth in a court setting.
I believed that the judge was fair and impartial.
3. Case process:
I completed my case with one attorney.
I completed my case with two to four attorneys.
I completed my case with this no. of attorneys.
I never completed my case.
I have had an attorney withdraw from my case after a retainer was paid.
I have had two B four attorneys withdraw from my case.
My attorney filed bankruptcy after my retainer was paid leaving me without funds to pay for another attorney.
I have had my case dismissed regardless of merit. State cause cited:
I handled my case on my own without an attorney.
I handled my case with the aid of a consulting attorney.
4. I experienced the following during litigation:
My case was called Afrivolous and without merit@.
I was called a Avexatious litigant@.
My sanity was questioned by:
the opposing party.
the opposing party's attorney.
the presiding judge.
my own attorney.
a testifying witness.
I was forced to submit to psychological examination(s).
I was sanctioned by the court in the amount(s) of: $
Sanctions were called for by the opposing party.
Sanctions were called for by the Discovery Commissioner.
Sanctions were called for by the presiding judge.
5. Attorney interactions (Rate 0, Totally Disagree to 10, Totally Agree):
I was completely satisfied with my attorney(s).
I became angry with my attorney.
My attorney threatened to withdraw unless I did things as he wanted them.
My attorney stopped taking my phone calls.
My attorney stopped allowing office visits.
I could not understand the language and reasoning used by my attorney.
I used all my economic assets and still made no progress on my case $
My legal fees exceeded my yearly income.
I found that pressure was brought on my life outside of court by my opponent's attorney.
6. Court Personnel interactions (Rate 0, Totally Disagree to 10, Totally Agree):
I found them to be professional, competent and personable.
I found them to be helpful.
I found that they stayed within their mandates to avoid the practice of law.
I found that they were as supportive of me as of the attorneys they serve.
7. Judges (Rate 0, Totally Disagree to 10, Totally Agree):
Competence:
I found them to be professional and competent.
I found them to be fair, unbiased, unprejudiced.
I found them to be knowledgeable and able to explain the bases for their decisions.
I found them to be courteous, respectful and of good demeanor.
My cases always started on time.
My cases moved along at a reasonable pace.
I suffered no needless delays.
Number of Judges:
I had one judge on my case, start to end.
I had two or three judges on my case, start to end.
I had four or more judges, list number:
I filed a peremptory challenge to remove a judge from my case.
I filed a Motion for Disqualification on my judge.
Name the judge(s) who heard your case:
Consistency (Rate 0, Totally Disagree to 10, Totally Agree):
My judge was consistent, and familiar with the case.
When judges changed, the new judge became familiar with my case.
My judge was consistent in demeanor.
9. Reporting Misconduct: I reported misconduct to:
The State Bar
The Judicial Discipline Committee
The FBI
The Department of Justice
My Congress people
Regulatory Agencies
Other
10. I reported as in #9 above; the response was:
None
A letter of acknowledgement
An offer of assistance
A phone call
A formal or informal investigation
A formal or informal hearing
Complaint found to be meritorious, resulting in:
8. Health Care:
I had access to health care through:
Individual Health Insurance, Group Health Insurance
Military Insurance or Social Security Medicare
Medicaid (Low Income)
County or other Municiple Treatment for Low Income
I had no ability to obtain health care due to:
No insurance
Could not afford health care and had no insurance
IF uninsured or financially devastated during litigation, please answer:
I would have sought medical attention due to physical symptoms incurred DURING legal process.
I would have sought medical attention due to physical symptoms incurred AFTER the legal process.
Rate 0 (Totally Disagree) to 10 (Totally Agree) B I believe the litigation had a negative impact to my health.
9. Impact on daily life (Rate 0, Totally Disagree to 10, Totally Agree):
I experienced no interference with my daily life as a result of my case.
When I spoke of my case with others (friends, family, co-workers), they understood and supported me in my efforts.
I experienced physical symptoms as a direct result of my case.
I saw physicians for treatment as a result of symptoms related to my case.
I was prescribed medication as a result of physician visit; List:
I missed work as a direct result of my case.
I lost time spent with family and friends as a result of my case.
I was unable to enjoy my usual pastimes as a result of my case.
I was advised to give up my legal activities or my health would suffer.
My family/friends became concerned that my legal efforts was causing me harm.
I feared for my health and my life if I continued to litigate.
I could not longer concentrate as a result of litigation.
I became hyper vigilant as a result of litigation, always thinking, always strategizing.
I became dismayed at false allegations made against me during litigation.
I suspected that the judge(s) and/or attorneys or opposing party took pleasure in my discomfort.
I felt helpless and/or trapped.
I believe that the court system brings or strives for justice.
I feel depressed, exhausted and discouraged as a citizen.
I feel angry about our court system.
I believe the practices of the court system are wasteful and/or ineffective.
I feel that I have unfairly lost crucially important things in my life.
I trust professionals in the legal system.
I believe the court exists to transfer wealth to the wealthy and powerful.
I believe that an honest taxpayer can achieve justice in the courtrooms.
I believe that the courts were used to improperly facilitate the transfer or retention of property from me to a more powerful or influential entity.
Additional Comments