Nolan Xavier Wells School of Law · Homework

Records Mission

A teenager died on federal land, and the public still can't see the file. The law says you can ask for it. Type your info once. You'll get ready-to-send requests, each one in your own words, sent from your own email.

New to this? Start here.

A records request means asking the government for copies of what it wrote down. It's your legal right. You don't need a lawyer, and you don't have to explain why you want it.

Type your name and email below. That's all you need.
Tap "Build my requests."
Pick one card and send it. One is enough. If you want to do more, go for it.
Check it off, then comment SENT under the video.

Takes about 3 minutes. Most adults never use this law. You just did.

Step 1. You

Full name Agencies need a real name. Email So they can reply to you.

Mailing address Optional. Some agencies ask for one.

City and state Phone Optional.

I'm under 18.

Nothing you type leaves your device. This page doesn't store or send anything. Your email app does the sending, and only when you press send.

Family only. Don't request these.

Closed by law

These records are closed to the public. Only the family or their lawyer can get them, no matter how many people ask:

Autopsy reports (Miss. Code 41-61-65)
Boating accident reports (Miss. Code 59-21-53)
Grand jury testimony (Rule 13.5)

Sending requests for these would waste your time and the office's. Put your energy into the cards above.

Step 3. What happens next

Mississippi offices usually have up to 7 working days to answer, and 14 at the most with a written reason (Miss. Code 25-61-5).
Federal offices have 20 working days under FOIA. They often take longer.
They may ask for a fee. Every draft asks for a cost estimate first. You never have to pay without agreeing.
If they say no, the law says they have to explain why in writing. Ask them to name the exact exemption.
Keep every reply, yes or no. That answer is your documentation. Name the gap you found in the comments on the video so other agents can see it.

Rules for agents

Be polite. Every word you send could be read in public someday.
Use your real name. Never pretend to be someone else.
Never name private people, and never contact the friends or their families.
One request per office is enough. Don't send repeat follow-ups to annoy them.
Got a real tip, firsthand? Send it to the family's legal team: the Nolan Wells Tip Line, or call 888-991-1772. Not the comments.