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• Use personal letterhead that includes your return address.
• Use the titles ‘Senator’ (Sen.) or Representative (Rep.) to address your legislator.
• Include a telephone number and an e-mail address if appropriate.
• Be clear – state the Legislative Document number and your purpose at the outset.
• Describe your position – For or against – and the reasoning behind it.
• Be accurate – use facts to support your position on a bill or issue.
• Write from an individual position – legislators respond to constituents.
• Be brief – one page – your letter has a better chance of being read.
• Ask your legislator to send you a reply stating their position on the issue.
• Send a copy of your letter to cooperating entities or lobbyists.
• Follow-up a supportive vote with a thank you note, or one noting otherwise.

• Mention your involvement with an organization – write as an individual.
• Use jargon that isn’t clear or catch phrases that are from the mass media.
• Use form letters or fill-in-the-blank messages from a campaign.
• Make unreasonable or impossible requests or use a demanding tone.
• Make threats, use insults, or be overly negative – these tactics usually backfire.

Dear ___________,

I hope this letter finds you well. My name is ____________, and I am writing on behalf of a dedicated team of individuals who are deeply concerned about the issue of autism in the criminal justice system. We believe that there is an urgent need for legislative action to address the challenges faced by autistic individuals when they come into contact with the criminal justice system.

As you are well aware, autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects millions of Americans, and it manifests itself in a wide range of behavioral and cognitive differences. Unfortunately, despite the growing awareness and understanding of autism, it is often not taken into consideration as a mitigating factor in many federal courts, leading to potential injustices and unfair treatment of autistic individuals.

We firmly believe that autism can play a crucial role in mitigating criminal offenses, and it is essential to ensure due process for autistic individuals within the criminal justice system. Numerous studies have shown that autistic individuals may struggle with social communication, impulse control, and processing sensory stimuli, which can lead to misinterpretations of intentions and actions in certain situations.

These challenges can inadvertently contribute to misunderstandings with law enforcement and misunderstandings with their intentions or actions, leading to behaviors that may appear non-compliant, aggressive, or threatening when, in reality, they stem from sensory overload, fear, or difficulty understanding the social context of their actions. Unfortunately, this lack of understanding of autism often leads to unjust convictions and harsher sentencing for individuals whose actions were influenced by their neurodevelopmental condition.

Our team would be honored to meet with you to discuss the issue further and explore potential legislative measures that can ensure due process for autistic individuals within the criminal justice system. We believe that by raising awareness and implementing proper training for law enforcement personnel, legal professionals, and judges on the unique challenges faced by autistic individuals, we can foster a more equitable and just system.

We are aware of your longstanding commitment to championing the rights of individuals with disabilities and your dedication to advocating for fair and effective criminal justice reform. Your expertise and leadership in these areas make you a pivotal advocate for addressing this pressing issue.

We kindly request the opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss this matter in depth and explore the possibility of enacting legislation that will protect the rights of autistic individuals within the criminal justice system.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue. We eagerly await your response and look forward to the opportunity to work together to ensure justice and equal treatment for all individuals, regardless of their neurodevelopmental differences.

Sincerely,

Contributor, (Your Name)

AutismInnocenceProject.org