[blindlaw] When do I act on my plan?

[Rod Alcidonis, Esquire]

First, I would suggest that you get a high-ranking officer to support your 
request, preferably another JAG. When you get to it, let me know and I will 
try to help. I was trained on my school's trial team by two excellent JAG 
guys, one is a criminal defense professor at my alma mater.
I think my former professor is very high-ranking.

Secondly, I would seek the support of your congressman and senator, via 
submission of a strong and passionately written missive.

Thirdly, I would also write to the governor of your State.

Fourth, I would find a blind attorney who is currently working as a DA or a 
U.S assistant DA, and kindly ask him/her for his support. There are some out 
there.

Fifth, I would recommend that you consult with a constitutional law 
litigator -- your law professors should be able to recommend you someone and 
possibly encourage that person to take your case pro bono.

six, write very passionate letters to many major news organizations. Explain 
your situation and ask if they would be interested in conducting an 
interview with you.

I think those steps will make your request much more credible. Some will 
ignore you, some will send you generic encouraging letters. You only need 
one powerful voice to help you make your case. If a U.S Senator decides to 
help, he will get others in his ranks to support your cause. Sometimes it's 
possible to win these issues by changing public opinions rather than first 
pursue legal proceedings. I would not recommend that you apply until you get 
some support of some sort. Get on it right now -- don't wait until you pass 
the bar.


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Rod Alcidonis, Esq.
Alcidonis Law Office, LLC
2824Cottman Avenue
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Philadelphia, PA 19149
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-----Original Message----- 
From: Dittman, Robert
Sent: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 1:28 PM
To: blindlaw at nfbnet.org
Subject: [blindlaw] When do I act on my plan?

Hello all,

As many of you may remember, I am a 3l at St. Mary's University School of 
Law, and a Student Attorney at the Clinic here at the law school as well as 
a Coast Guard Auxiliarist currently assigned to the District legal office as 
a "legal assistance clerk.  I am due to complete my legal studies December 
2012, and will sit for the Texas Bar Exam February 2013.

I have been very public in my desire to potision each armed service, the 
Congress, or the President to authorize me to accept a reserve commission 
into the Armed forces to serve as a JAG officer.  My question is when do I 
pull the trigger as it were, and how can I rally allies and supporters to 
this cause?  I need help as I am too emotionally connected to the case to 
represent myself.  The old saying a person who represents themselves has a 
fool for a client is true in this case.

I know the statutes authorizing a waiver, and can demonstrate my uniformed 
experiences spanning the last sixteen years.  I can also show that I meet 
all qualifications other than the medical requirement of vision, or will 
meet them after I pass the bar exam.  If I were sighted, I would be able to 
apply now as a 3L.

I guess the biggest issue is that if I have to litigate this case, it will 
cost loads of funds and would there be any interest in assisting me in this 
cause?  The basic premise is that if a I meet all requirements to serve as a 
JAG officer, and other persons who are physically blind have been determined 
to be fit for duty, then they should not be able to disqualify me on that 
basses without a full review of the circumstances.

In short, they do not have to let me in, but they must find another reason 
rather than blindness to keep me out.

I can apply now as a 3l, and I know that these things will take time.  So, I 
need some guidance as to how to proceed.

Looking forward to your advice and guidance.
Robert D. Dittman
(210) 389 3388
rdittman at mail.stmarytx.edu<mailto:rdittman at mail.stmarytx.edu>

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