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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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They Locked Her Down, Then Shut Her Up: How San Diego Jails Punish Disabled Survivors

Giselle Smiel, a survivor of domestic violence, faced significant barriers to ADA Title II accommodations during her detention. Despite multiple requests, she lacked effective communication supports and experienced retaliation. The case highlights systemic failures in recognizing invisible disabilities and ensuring compliance, ultimately underscoring the need for accountability in custody settings.

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Judges Behind the Bench: Who’s Accountable in the Julie Valadez Case?

Julie Valadez didn’t kidnap her son—he ran to her, fleeing what he described as an abusive home. Now she’s locked in a Wisconsin jail on $500,000 bail, while the judges responsible for years of questionable rulings face no consequences. This investigation names names, exposes judicial failures, and demands accountability in a system that punishes survivors instead of protecting them.

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When Justice Betrays Survivors: The Incarceration of Julie Valadez and the Family Court Crisis

In Walworth County, Wisconsin, Julie Valadez, a mother and domestic violence survivor, faces severe legal repercussions after her son sought safety with her, fleeing an abusive situation. Charged with felony counts and high bail, her case highlights systemic failures in family courts that often penalize protective parents instead of abusers.

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