FOIA for Deliverance: How to Request Police & Court Records on Exorcism Cases

Introduction — Why FOIA and public records matter for exorcism case research

Researchers, journalists, clergy, and families often need police reports, court dockets, investigative files, and agency correspondence to reconstruct historical or contemporary exorcism and deliverance cases. Understanding which law to use—and what to expect when you ask for records—will save time, reduce surprises, and improve the quality of your findings. The federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) governs access to records held by federal agencies, while state and local law apply to police departments and most courts; the practical consequences of this split are important when tracing case files or disciplinary records.

This guide explains: (1) when to use FOIA vs. state public-records laws, (2) how to request police and court records, (3) common exemptions and redaction issues, (4) cost and access considerations for court dockets (PACER), and (5) sample request templates and next steps (appeals, litigation, archival access).

Federal FOIA basics and practical steps

What FOIA covers

FOIA requires federal executive-branch agencies to disclose agency records on request unless a statutory exemption applies. It does not apply to Congress, the federal courts, or to state and local governments—so if the records you want are held by a state police department or most state courts, you must use that state's public‑records law.

Timeline and processing

Federal agencies must respond to a FOIA request within 20 business days (excluding weekends and legal holidays); agencies can extend that period in defined circumstances (e.g., voluminous records, consultations). Expect that complex law‑enforcement or investigatory files often take longer and may require iterative narrowing or negotiated search terms.

Exemptions likely to affect exorcism-related files

• Privacy (FOIA Exemption 6): protects personally identifiable information where disclosure would be a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
• Law‑enforcement/investigatory (Exemption 7): covers records compiled for law enforcement purposes where disclosure could reasonably interfere with enforcement, invade personal privacy, or disclose law‑enforcement techniques and procedures.

These exemptions commonly lead to redactions or partial withholdings in police‑related materials and interagency investigative files. Expect agencies to cite these when the records involve medical, juvenile, or sensitive personal information.

Practical FOIA steps (federal)

1. Identify the federal agency that likely holds records (e.g., FBI, DEA, VA hospital, federal hospital, federal social‑service program).
2. Locate that agency’s FOIA contact page and electronic portal (many agencies accept FOIA Online or email submissions).
3. Be specific: provide names, dates, locations, incident/case numbers, and document types to limit search scope.
4. Request fee waivers or specify your fee category (news media, educational/researcher, commercial); ask for electronic delivery if possible.
5. Ask for expedited processing only if you meet the statutory criteria (e.g., imminent threat to life or clear public‑interest urgency) and provide supporting documentation.

Police and court records: state laws, court access, PACER, and cost considerations

State/local police records

State public‑records laws (often called Freedom of Information Acts, Public Records Acts, or Freedom of Access acts) control access to state and local police records and vary widely. Some states broadly disclose arrest logs and incident reports; others carve out investigative files, personnel records, or juvenile and medical information. Open‑government guides and state attorney general opinions are good first references for local police records rules. Be prepared for redactions, partial denials, and appeals.

Court records and PACER (federal)

Federal court dockets and filings are public but are accessed primarily through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records). PACER charges per‑page fees (generally $0.10 per page with a per‑document cap for many documents) and bills quarterly; users who spend $30 or less in a quarter generally aren’t charged. Fee waivers are available in limited circumstances. If you need bulk access or are an academic/nonprofit researcher, ask the courts about fee exemption procedures.

State court records

Most state court records are public, but access mechanisms vary: many states offer online dockets, clerk‑office requests, or in‑person public terminals. Some sensitive items (sealed records, juvenile matters, certain medical records) will be withheld or require a court order to unseal. If a clerk’s office denies access, the official denial letter will indicate the local process for appeal or filing a motion to unseal.

Templates, strategy, and next steps: making effective requests & handling denials

Sample FOIA request (federal)

Dear FOIA Officer,

Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, I request copies of records concerning [NAME], born [DOB if known], relating to alleged possession or exorcism at [LOCATION] on or about [DATE or range]. Specifically, please search for: police referrals, agency investigative reports, medical/mental‑health consultation records in agency custody, internal e‑mails mentioning [NAME/CASE], and any interagency correspondence referencing the incident.

If you deny any portion of this request, please cite the exemption(s) relied upon and provide segregable portions of otherwise exempt material. I request a waiver of fees as this is for news/reporting/research purposes (or specify fee category). Please provide responsive records in PDF by email to: [your email].

Thank you,
[Name]
[Contact information]

Sample state public‑records request (local police)

Public Records Officer,

Under [STATE PUBLIC RECORDS LAW], I request:
1) Police incident report, arrest report, and booking record for [NAME], date [DATE].
2) Any 911 recordings and CAD notes for [DATE and location].
3) Internal investigative or use‑of‑force records related to this incident.

Please produce records electronically. If you withhold, please provide the statutory citations and your appeal instructions.

Sincerely,
[Name]
[Contact info]

If your request is denied or delayed

• Administrative appeal: Most agencies have an internal appeal process—follow it and meet the deadlines in the denial letter.
• Ombuds/OGIS: For federal agency FOIA disputes, the National Archives' Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) can provide mediation resources.
• Court challenge: If administrative avenues fail, litigation under FOIA or the applicable state statute is an option; consult an attorney experienced in open‑records litigation.

Practical research tips

1. Start broad, then narrow by date, name, or document type if you are getting too many hits.
2. Ask for specific file series (e.g., “investigative case file no. X,” “incident report number”)—clerk and FOIA staff can often help identify the correct locator.
3. Preserve metadata: request electronic native files when possible; PDFs sometimes lose important metadata and attachments.
4. Track requests in a spreadsheet—include agency contact, date submitted, due date, fees, and appeal deadlines.
5. Consider contacting archives, historical societies, or court clerks for older records that may be offline, boxed, or transferred to archival custody.

Records about exorcism or deliverance often intersect with medical, juvenile, and pastoral‑care confidentiality issues; expect careful redactions and occasional legal resistance. When access is denied, a targeted appeal that explains the public interest and the historical/research purpose sometimes persuades decision‑makers to release more material.