Access to government records is a fundamental right. Whether you need documents from a federal agency under the Freedom of Information Act or from an Ohio state or local agency under the Public Records Act, TMiller Law can help you obtain the records you are entitled to.
For straightforward federal FOIA requests, we built FOIAfile — our proprietary online platform that lets anyone file a properly formatted FOIA request with any federal agency in minutes. Your first request is free. For cases that require legal expertise — denied requests, missed deadlines, appeals, or litigation — our attorneys step in to enforce your rights.
File Your FOIA Request Online
FOIAfile is our proprietary platform that makes filing federal FOIA requests simple. Select an agency, describe the records you need, and we handle the rest — proper formatting, legal language, and delivery.
Start Your Free Request →*In fee-shifting FOIA litigation cases where you substantially prevail, the government pays attorney fees.
Our FOIA & Public Records Services
📄 Federal FOIA Requests
File requests with any federal agency using FOIAfile, our online platform, or retain us to handle complex requests. We draft precisely targeted requests that maximize your chances of obtaining the records you need while minimizing processing delays and fees.
📜 Ohio Public Records
Ohio's Public Records Act (ORC 149.43) gives every person the right to access records maintained by state and local government agencies. We handle requests for police reports, body camera footage, government emails, inspection records, and more. Flat fee: $500 for standard requests.
⚖️ FOIA Appeals
If a federal agency denies your request in whole or in part, you have the right to file an administrative appeal. We draft compelling appeals that challenge improper exemption claims and argue for maximum disclosure. You generally have 90 days from the denial to appeal.
🔨 FOIA Litigation
When agencies refuse to comply, we file suit in federal district court under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(4)(B). FOIA provides for attorney fee recovery under § 552(a)(4)(E) when you substantially prevail, meaning you may owe nothing for legal fees if we win your case.
📋 Ohio Mandamus Actions
When Ohio agencies improperly deny public records requests, we file mandamus actions in court to compel disclosure. Under ORC 149.43(C), the court may award attorney fees and impose a statutory damages penalty against the noncompliant agency.
💻 FOIAfile Platform
We built FOIAfile to make FOIA accessible to everyone. File your first federal request for free. The platform handles formatting, legal language, delivery, and deadline tracking. If an agency misses its deadline, we connect you with our attorneys to take legal action.
Federal Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. § 552)
The Freedom of Information Act, enacted in 1966 and codified at 5 U.S.C. § 552, gives any person the right to request access to records held by federal executive branch agencies. FOIA operates on a presumption of openness — agencies must disclose records unless they fall within one of nine specific exemptions.
Who Can File a FOIA Request?
Anyone. There is no citizenship requirement. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, foreign nationals, businesses, organizations, and even other government agencies can file FOIA requests. You are not required to explain why you want the records.
The 9 FOIA Exemptions
While FOIA creates a strong presumption of disclosure, agencies may withhold information that falls within these nine categories:
| # | Exemption | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | National Security | Classified information related to national defense or foreign policy |
| 2 | Internal Rules | Internal agency personnel rules and practices |
| 3 | Statutory | Information protected by other federal statutes |
| 4 | Trade Secrets | Confidential business information and trade secrets |
| 5 | Deliberative | Inter-agency or intra-agency privileged communications |
| 6 | Personal Privacy | Information that would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy |
| 7 | Law Enforcement | Records that could interfere with enforcement proceedings or endanger life |
| 8 | Financial | Information related to regulation of financial institutions |
| 9 | Geological | Geological and geophysical information concerning wells |
FOIA Deadlines and Enforcement
Federal agencies must respond to FOIA requests within 20 business days of receipt. If an agency fails to meet this deadline, the requester is deemed to have exhausted administrative remedies under 5 U.S.C. § 552(a)(6)(C) and may file suit immediately in federal district court.
FOIA provides for attorney fee recovery under § 552(a)(4)(E). If you substantially prevail in FOIA litigation, the court may order the government to pay your reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs. This fee-shifting provision means that in many cases, qualified legal representation comes at no cost to the requester.
Ohio Public Records Act (ORC 149.43)
Ohio's Public Records Act gives every person the right to inspect and obtain copies of records maintained by state and local government agencies. Unlike the federal FOIA, Ohio law does not impose a specific day count for responses — agencies must provide records within a “reasonable period of time.”
What Records Can You Request in Ohio?
- Police reports & body camera footage — Essential for OVI defense and personal injury cases
- 911 call recordings — Useful for establishing timelines and identifying witnesses
- Government emails & communications — For investigations, disputes, or government transparency
- Inspection reports & permits — Building, health, safety, and environmental records
- Court records & filings — Case files, judgments, and administrative hearing records
- Meeting minutes & public body records — City council, school board, and committee records
- Financial records — Budgets, expenditures, contracts, and payroll records
Ohio Public Records Enforcement
If an Ohio government agency improperly denies your public records request or unreasonably delays production, you can file a mandamus action in court. Under ORC 149.43(C), the court may:
- Order the agency to produce the requested records
- Award you reasonable attorney fees
- Impose a statutory damages penalty of $100 per business day of noncompliance, up to $1,000
Ohio Public Records — Flat Fee: $500 — Includes drafting the request, follow-up with the government agency, enforcement if the agency fails to respond, and delivery of all obtained records to you.
How to Get Started
- File online (federal requests): Go to FOIAfile, select the federal agency, describe the records you need, and submit. Your first request is free. FOIAfile handles formatting, legal language, and delivery.
- We track your deadline: FOIAfile automatically monitors the 20 business day statutory deadline. If the agency approaches or misses the deadline, you are notified.
- Agency responds or fails to respond: If the agency produces your records, you are done. If they deny your request or miss the deadline, you have legal options.
- Free legal consultation: Contact TMiller Law for a free case evaluation. We assess whether an appeal or lawsuit is appropriate, and explain the fee-shifting provisions that may make legal representation free to you.
- We take legal action: If litigation is warranted, we file suit in federal court or bring a mandamus action in Ohio court. When we prevail, the government pays our fees — not you.