Most pro se litigants trust that if they follow the rules, the court will fairly apply the law. But here’s what really happens when a pro se litigant challenges a government entity in federal court: Step 1: The Judge Rewrites Your Case Judges and government lawyers pretend your case is about something it’s not—mischaracterizing your [...]
Imagine you take a case to federal court, because your constitutional rights have been violated. You follow the rules, file your complaint, and expect the judge to fairly apply the law. Instead, the court twists procedural rules to avoid even addressing your claims, dismissing your case without ever considering the merits. Worse, when you appeal, [...]
When people think about courtroom justice, they imagine a fair fight—both sides present their case, and a neutral judge applies the law. But what happens when a judge is not neutral, and the system is set up to protect them instead of holding them accountable? That’s exactly what I’m exposing in two filings that challenge [...]
In my civil rights case against Lancaster County, the federal judge handling the matter just handed down a ruling that defies logic, law, and basic fairness. On March 7, he dismissed most of my claims—even though he admitted he didn’t have jurisdiction over some of them. See ECF 35 and 36. He said he couldn’t [...]
On February 21, 2025, I filed a motion demanding that Judge Joseph Leeson issue findings of fact and conclusions of law under Rule 52(a), when ruling on Defendants’ motions to dismiss in my First Amendment case. For 90 days, Leeson has refused to rule on these motions, effectively stalling my case and preventing me from [...]
I’ve witnessed firsthand how procedural abuse can turn legitimate constitutional claims into an exhausting uphill battle. My lawsuit was filed to challenge government misconduct and protect constitutional rights, but instead of receiving a fair day in court, I’ve faced a relentless campaign of procedural tactics designed to suppress my claims, punish my advocacy, and [...]
A legal battle between Michael Miller and County of Lancaster highlights the fine line between preventing frivolous lawsuits and suppressing public interest litigation. What began as Miller’s effort to obtain election records under Pennsylvania’s Right to Know Law (RTKL) has turned into a larger fight over free speech, government transparency, and the right to challenge [...]
As a pro se litigant—someone representing myself in court—I’ve learned that justice often hinges on following the rules. Recently, I filed a Motion to Strike Improper Materials in my case because the opposing counsel attached judicial orders from a separate lawsuit to their motion to dismiss my case. This might seem like a [...]
For over two and a half years, I’ve been battling the County of Lancaster in court, representing myself in a lawsuit under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for constitutional violations. Instead of addressing the merits of my claims, County officials have relied on endless procedural maneuvers to delay and evade accountability. On December 9th, I filed [...]
I’m Michael Miller, and I’ve spent the last two years fighting for something fundamental: public access to election records. What began as a simple request under Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) has turned into a protracted legal battle, with government roadblocks at every turn and the courts failing to act. On December 7, 2024, I petitioned [...]