Investigative Journalism | Exposing What Lies Beneath
A father who once had primary custody now finds himself locked out—not just of his child’s life, but of the courtroom itself. As proceedings move forward without his participation, filings raise urgent questions about jurisdiction, due process, and whether access to justice in Maryland depends on who the system allows through the door.
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.
Inside People v. Smiel: When Process Becomes the Story Read More During a federal shutdown, a Los Angeles courtroom silenced advocates and observers during a hearing for domestic violence survivor Giselle Smiel, violating her ADA rights. Despite a provided Teams link for remote access, court staff denied participation, raising concerns over public oversight and institutional failure in providing justice and transparency for vulnerable individuals.
“We Aren’t Having One of Those Today” Read More
Family courts claim to protect children, but secrecy has turned them into weapons against the very parents who seek safety. In California, survivor Giselle Smiel cared for her children alone for five years—only to lose them to an abusive ex after missing one hearing during her son’s medical emergency. Now she sits in jail on six felony charges, without transcripts, without ADA accommodations, and without transparency. Her case proves what advocates like Renata DeMello have long warned: until the public can see inside family court, justice will remain out of reach.
The Missing Eyes in Family Court: How Lack of Transparency Jailed a Survivor Read More
In New York, Marc Fishman, a disabled father, endures a legal nightmare due to false accusations and judicial misconduct, facing a 45-day jail sentence despite exculpatory evidence. His appeals are delayed amid a lack of gubernatorial intervention, highlighting systemic failures and the abuse of power within the judicial system. Fishman’s plight reflects broader issues of injustice affecting vulnerable citizens.
New York’s Shame: The State Hunts Marc Fishman While Ignoring Real Justice Read More
South Carolina family court Judge Mandy Kimmons is accused of misconduct, weaponizing her authority to impose contradictory orders that lead to unjust jail sentences for veterans and struggling parents. The complaints outline a pattern of negligence, abuse, and financial exploitation, revealing systemic failures that harm families and undermine justice.
Judge Mandy Kimmons: Scribbled Orders, Broken Lives, and a Conveyor Belt to Jail Read More
John H. Michel, a Maryland attorney with a problematic history, transitioned from a disgraced gun board member to a controversial figure in family court following his wife’s death. Exploiting vulnerabilities, he gained control over a child’s custody, raising serious concerns about his motives and actions, characterized as reckless opportunism. The consequences impact both public safety and family dynamics.
The Opportunist: From Gun Board Failure to Family Court Predator Read More
A protective mother fled Los Angeles to the San Diego area for safety and survival, only to be hunted down by law enforcement acting on the orders of the LA County DA. Now she sits in jail on half a million dollars bail, accused of “kidnapping” her own children. Her children are locked in foster detention, separated and traumatized. This is not justice—it is legal abuse, a California family court system run like a circus of lawless clowns in robes and badges.
California’s Family Courts Are Legal Abuse Factories Read More
On September 3, 2025, Judge Mandy Kimmons denied crucial motions filed by William Sewell in his divorce case, effectively stripping him of due process rights. This case exemplifies how South Carolina family courts manipulate procedures to protect judges at the expense of litigants, highlighting the urgent need for reform to ensure accountability and justice.
The South Carolina Family Court Trap: How Judges Use Rule Games to Dodge Accountability Read More
South Carolina’s family courts present parents with a legal dilemma where appealing flawed judgments risks missing deadlines, while filing motions leads to judges evading accountability. This contradictory system, exemplified by Judge Mandy Kimmons, denies due process and undermines family stability. Reform is crucial to protect parental rights and ensure judicial responsibility.
The South Carolina Family Court Trap: How Rule Games Deny Due Process and Protect Judges Like Mandy Kimmons Read More