A new Book For The Consumer

N.I. native's book helps consumers

BY CHRISTI LANDRY THE DAILY IBERIAN
A New Iberia native has written a book that offers consumers a chance to learn all their options when it comes to legal proceedings.

"The Pro se Attorney Manual : Layman Strategies in the Law," is a book by former resident James Reedom that teaches consumers their options if they are faced with legal problems.

Reedom, a former college professor, was instrumental in instituting Grambling University's criminal justice institute and spent time teaching at Texas Christian University.

He now does non-profit work and acts as an advocate on behalf of those of low to moderate income, the sick and the homeless.

"Pro se is a Latin term meaning 'on my own behalf.' Federal courts and state courts allow people to represent themselves if don't have their own money," said Reedom, a Fort Worth, Texas, resident.

"When money is short and all other doors are closed, there are other things you can do," he said. "It's showing you what you can do for yourself."

Reedom said the book by no means advocates people going before a court to represent themselves.

"It's not a book telling people how to practice law without a license," he said. "You can not take the place of a lawyer. You can become educated about the system, so that when you go to a lawyer, the lawyer is going to be impressed."

According to Reedom, the book teaches the public the many facets of the law, from pro se to how to dress, speak and behave in a courtroom setting.

"The average person has never been in a courtroom. They don't know what the demeanor is," he said.

"The other part is, what if you have to use an attorney and you don't know what questions to ask or you leave out information that will help the attorney to do a better job," Reedom said.

"The key is if you go to an attorney and have an understanding of what you are going to be up against, you are going to do a better job."

Reedom said federal and state courts distribute literature about the practice of pro se.

However, his book looks at the matter through the eyes of the consumer.

"This particular book uses the system to do what you need to do. This is not a book about telling people you should not use an attorney. Even federal courts have put out literature on this."

He said people looking for honest alternatives when they are running out of options will find the book helpful. Those looking to negate the system or use it to their advantage will not.

Reedom said the information in his book, which was published in February, can be likened to car purchases.

When people are looking to buy a car, they research the car to get the best deal. The same can be applied to law.

"When people understand what the legal system is all about, they can work with the attorney," he said.

The book also offers stories of how people got a better understanding of the law and successfully applied it to their situation.

Reedom pointed out the example in his book of a group of postal workers that represented itself in an effort to receive retirement benefits

The case went before a federal judge and the group was successful, thanks to its knowledge of the law.

In addition to information about law, Reedom said the book also explores how to better deal with governmental problems, getting off of welfare, improving the quality of life and creating better conditions in life.

"It's about people helping themselves the right way," he said.

Reedom said his motivation for writing the book came from wanting to help people who thought there was no help for them.

"I've been working in non-profit with low income and sick people, and I saw the frustration of people when they saw all the doors were closed. It just seemed so sad that people think the system is not there to help them when it can," he said.

The book is being sold through major suppliers such as Amazon.com, Books-A-Million and Barnes and Noble. It has also been sold in Australia and Germany.

Reedom said he hopes people will take advantage of the information offered in his book to put it to good use.

"It shows things people can do that the system allows them to do," he said. "There's nothing controversial about it. It's just showing you what you can do."