Law Question About 'Discovery' And How It Works.

This is a general question I have, maybe for a law student here. I'm sure I'm not alone. If someone is violating your rights, you might inadvertently do something which triggers a discovery of information, or just discovery. And then your case will be investigated, and people will basically find out how your rights have been violated. Even ironically if that is not what they are looking for. And you don't even have to hire a private investigator or even file charges. I think the third-party doctrine does a similar thing sometimes.

As I've said, I think that sounds like a good way of people with little or no income, who feel their rights are being violated, having their case investigated or looked into. And then the government will just hold onto that information indefinitely. And it might help you later. Does anyone know what kinds of things will trigger an automatic discovery of information? I know being suing or being sued always does. What other things does? Is there anyway you could deliberately trigger it? Perhaps starting a process you don't even need to? For example, telling a court you want to sue, even though you really can't afford it or don't want to?