Subject:
   Date: Tue, 11 Mar 1997 09:38:24 -1000
   From: mmapp@gte.net
     To: citation@teo.uscourts.gov

"America" Mandates Conversion To Official Citations Free From Private
Impediment to Our Courts

In the Interest of Civil and Criminal Liberties

     Where any standard is set (i.e.: citation requirements) in any 
American court as a prerequisite for the pursuit of justice in the 
prosecution or defense of civil issues, or of greater importance to 
respond to criminal accusations, such standard demands the freest of 
accessibility to all.

In the Interest of Taxpayers and The Constitution

     Every legal entity (person, corporation) that "breathes" within 
the 50 United States, and U.S. citizens who live outside this 
country's borders, pay the taxes that allow for the Judicial branch 
of this government to exist. For such taxes to finance or 
subsidize the very foundation (common-law case publication and 
citations) for which a private concern profits over a governmental 
function (the Judiciary) is unappealing. For any private concern to 
wield a monopoly over access to our courts is unconstitutional and 
abhorrent.

Cost-Benefit Analysis

     Any costs associated with converting past, present and future 
case law authorities to a uniform public domain citation standard 
available on today's freest of public access and distribution 
resources (the Internet) are far outweighed by the immeasurable costs 
to our society today in paying for the maintenance and reliance on 
distant libraries, staffs, and private publishers.

Conclusion

     The security of the fundamental liberties of the "people" for 
which this nation stands, and the modern operation of the American 
courts for which we pay, mandate a  public domain citation standard 
that assures access free of privatization.

     Mahalo nui loa for providing the convenience of an e-mail 
response to your invitation for public comment. This is a fine 
example of the use of technology for the advancement of democracy.

                                   Rolando Hidalgo
                                   415 Dairy Road, 303
                                   Kahului, HI 96732