Investigative Journalism | Exposing What Lies Beneath
Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s new law codifies child custody factors for judges but raises concerns about its effectiveness. Critics argue that the requirement to “consider” these factors lacks accountability, as judges can ignore them without repercussions. Structural reforms are needed to ensure justice in the often opaque family court system.
Memorial Day is a time to honor both fallen soldiers and veterans facing struggles within the family court system. Many veterans endure severe challenges, such as custody battles that exploit their mental health issues. Urgent reform is needed to ensure fair treatment, preserve their rights, and prevent the tragic loss of lives caused by these disputes.
This Memorial Day, Let’s Remember All the Battles — Including the Ones Fought at Home Read MoreMarc Fishman’s experience in New York’s family court highlights a troubling reality where parents often face legal consequences without a trial. Default orders and procedural dismissals deny them their rights, with judges prioritizing bureaucracy over justice. This systemic issue calls for mandatory hearings to ensure due process and prevent unjust decisions regarding parental access.
Guilty Without a Hearing: How New York Family Court Destroys Due Process Read MoreThe family court system conceals its failures by omitting crucial data, perpetuating a false narrative of fairness and effectiveness. Critical metrics on custody rulings, false accusations, and parental alienation remain untracked, creating an environment resistant to accountability. Without transparency and independent oversight, systemic issues will persist, harming families unjustly.
Justice by Omission: How Family Court Covers Up Its Failures Read MoreThe content discusses survivorship bias in family court, highlighting how focus on positive outcomes obscures the experiences of those who do not succeed. It emphasizes the need for accountability and reform, urging for attention to the hidden failures and severe impacts on parents who are alienated or harmed by the system.
The Survivorship Bias of Family Court: What We’re Missing Could Be What Matters Most Read MoreThe post critiques the shift from traditional courts, which uphold justice as a constitutional right, to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) systems that charge for legal services, undermining due process. It highlights court cases emphasizing access to justice without fees and calls for reform to restore constitutional rights and challenge the financial burden placed on litigants.
Justice for Sale: How ADR Courts Hijacked Due Process and Made You Pay for It Read More
The article uncovers the troubling 15-year child custody case of Jeffrey Reichert and Sarah Hornbeck, highlighting numerous unanswered questions about parental alienation and judicial accountability. It discusses the obscurity of unpublished appellate opinions, potential corruption in Anne Arundel County courts, and the impact on the child caught in the fray.
Holy Hell, Maryland: What the Heck Is Going on in Reichert v. Hornbeck? Read MoreThe judicial reappointment hearings in Virginia present a facade of public accountability, allowing only three minutes for citizens to speak, with their testimonies largely ignored. Despite personal stories of judicial misconduct, the process operates as a formality, contributing to a loss of trust in the judicial system and necessitating comprehensive reforms for genuine accountability.
Broken Bench Series 1: The Silent Crisis of Judicial Appointments Read MoreOn May 8, 2025, a California court ruled in favor of Trish Miroth against Trinity County Child Protective Services, challenging unlawful child removal. The court rejected the County’s motion to dismiss based on the Rooker-Feldman doctrine, affirming federal jurisdiction in civil rights cases. This landmark decision empowers families against CPS overreach.
Miroth v. Trinity County: A Landmark Win for Families Fighting CPS Injustice Read MoreVirginia’s judicial appointment process is characterized by political cronyism, where insiders dominate while citizens remain excluded. Judges are appointed through backroom deals, leading to favoritism and lack of accountability. This entrenched political system erodes public trust and results in significant human costs for the vulnerable. Urgent reforms are necessary to restore democracy.
Broken Bench Series 1: The Silent Crisis of Judicial Appointments Read More