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California’s Criminal Courts Are Using Protective Orders to Hide Evidence — and No One Is Stopping Them

California’s criminal courts are increasingly using protective orders to restrict defendants’ access to evidence, undermining due process. Overwhelmed public defenders are forced to accept these orders, harming defendants’ rights to prepare their defense. This systemic issue risks wrongful convictions and highlights a need for reform to restore transparency and accountability in the legal system.

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Disability Advocates Condemn New York Court of Appeals and Judge Anthony Cannataro for Denying Disabled Father Access to Justice

The New York Court of Appeals dismissed Marc Fishman’s appeal regarding ADA violations during his seven-year litigation, claiming it lacked jurisdiction. Despite a federal judge’s order for accommodations, Westchester courts denied necessary support, highlighting systemic issues in New York’s justice system that prevent disabled litigants from obtaining fair treatment and redress. Advocates call for legislative reforms.

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Inside People v. Smiel: When Process Becomes the Story

Giselle Smiel faces five felonies, including kidnapping, for picking up her crying child at a San Diego school. Her defense argues there was no force or substantial movement, pointing to lack of evidence and jurisdictional issues. Advocates highlight constitutional violations and ADA neglect in her arrest, seeking dismissal of charges and oversight on family-court mechanisms in criminal cases.

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Maryland Admits Nearly 1,000 Foster Children Missing Since 2020 — Most Are Teenage Girls

Maryland’s Department of Human Services confirmed that 990 children in state foster care have gone missing between 2020 and 2025. Most are teenage girls, raising concerns about the classification of cases as “runaways.” Advocates argue this lack of transparency masks deeper issues in a failing foster care system, demanding federal oversight and accountability.

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A Department in Decay: How Prince George’s County Police Became a Case Study in Institutional Failure

Prince George’s County’s police department sits at the uneasy intersection of race, power, and accountability — a majority-Black force in a majority-Black county still haunted by decades of corruption and cover-ups. From the $20 million William Green shooting settlement to this month’s $2.35 million verdict for whistleblower Mohamed Magassouba, the pattern is clear: misconduct isn’t the exception, it’s the expense of doing business. “A Department in Decay” traces how internal retaliation, political favoritism, and taxpayer-funded damage control have replaced real reform — and why even honest cops are paying the price.

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The Records They Wouldn’t Release — and the Mother They Jailed

The case of Giselle Smiel highlights significant issues of transparency and jurisdictional failures in California’s justice system. After a May 2025 incident involving alleged child abduction, Smiel faced six felony charges despite having no criminal history. Denied access to public records and effective legal representation, she remains in jail, raising concerns over systemic accountability and due process.

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Maryland’s ADA Mirage: Rhetoric, Red Tape, and the Quiet Punishment of Invisible Disabilities

Maryland’s political rhetoric emphasizes equity and inclusion but often fails to deliver for families with invisible disabilities. Delays, excessive documentation, and systemic skepticism hinder access to necessary accommodations in education and court settings. Despite awareness of the issues, accountability remains elusive, leaving families to struggle for support amidst bureaucratic barriers.

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The ADA in State Courts: A Promise Betrayed for Americans with Invisible Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act aimed to ensure accessibility for all, yet invisible disabilities remain largely unrecognized in courts, with inadequate staff training and compliance. This neglect leads to severe injustices, reflecting systemic bias. Court reforms are necessary, including appointing ADA coordinators, enforcing accountability, and enhancing digital accessibility, to uphold true justice.

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Fairfax County’s War on Girls’ Privacy: When “Gender Inclusion” Becomes Harassment

A 14-year-old girl at West Springfield High School in Fairfax County walked into her gym locker room expecting privacy—and instead found a male student standing inside, watching girls change. When she reported it, a teacher told her nothing could be done under school policy. This alarming incident, now the subject of a federal civil rights complaint, highlights how Fairfax County Public Schools’ gender identity rules are eroding Title IX protections and putting girls’ safety and privacy at risk.

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