A FOIA request can be made for any agency record in any format you specify. You should be aware that the FOIA does not require agencies to do research for you, to analyze data, to answer written questions, or to create records in response to a request. The records are subject to review and you will not receive information that is exempt from release.
What are exemptions?
In limited instances, information may be withheld from disclosure if it is:
-currently and properly classified in the interest of national defense or foreign policy [FOIA exemption (b)(1) pertains];
-related solely to internal personnel rules and practices, the release of which would allow circumvention of a statute or rule [FOIA exemption (b)(2) pertains];
-protected by a statute that specifically exempts the information from public release [FOIA exemption (b)(3) pertains];
-trade secrets and commercial or financial information which was obtained from a private source which would cause substantial competitive harm to the information source [FOIA exemption (b)(4) pertains];
-pre-decisional opinions and recommendations, inter-agency or intra-agency memoranda or letters, that show foreseeable harm if released. Also, attorney-client privilege and attorney-work product are covered [FOIA exemption (b)(5) pertains];
-personal and medical information, the release of which would result in a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy [FOIA exemption (b)(6) pertains]; and/or
-investigatory records or information compiled for law enforcement purposes, which (a) could reasonably be expected to interfere with enforcement proceedings, (b) would deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or an impartial adjudication, (c) could reasonably be expected to constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, (d) could reasonably be expected to disclose the identify of a confidential source, (e) would disclose investigative techniques, and/or (f) could reasonably be expected to endanger the life or physical safety of any individual [FOIA exemption (b)(7) pertains].
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