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No One Is Watching: How Montgomery County’s Family Court Operates Without External Oversight, and What Happens to the People Who Notice

May 8, 2026May 8, 2026 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

An investigation reveals a significant accountability gap in Maryland’s family court system, where civil rights complaints against judges lack external oversight and transparency. Complaints filed are often sealed and unreported, leading to systemic noncompliance without recourse for litigants. This raises critical issues about judicial accountability and the structures that enable potential misconduct.

Commisioners / Domestic Violence / Family Court / Family Court Reform / Legal Reform / Magistrates / Maryland / Maryland Watch / Parental Rights / Protective Orders

The Gatekeepers No One Elected: How Maryland’s District Court Commissioners Shape Justice Before a Judge Ever Looks

September 14, 2025September 14, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Maryland’s justice system relies on District Court commissioners who operate 24/7 to manage warrantless arrests and set bail without needing legal training. This rapid process, favoring efficiency, risks false allegations affecting family law cases, with racial disparities in bail persisting. Reform is necessary to ensure due process and protect parental rights.

Justice Under Siege – How the System Crushes Those Who Speak Out

June 8, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

Part 12 of “Court of Ruin” addresses systemic injustice in South Carolina’s family court, focusing on reform proposals to enhance oversight, transparency, and accountability. It emphasizes the necessity of independent reviews, fair legal representation, and protections for whistleblowers, culminating in a call to action for collective change in a broken system.

When Judges Judge Their Own Cases: Why Recusal Rules Fail in Family Court

May 15, 2025 - by Michael Phillips - Leave a Comment

In America’s family courts, the principle that no one should be a judge in their own case is often violated. The case of Marc Fishman highlights this issue, as Judge Michelle I. Schauer, with a contentious history with Fishman, asserts control over his custody case despite allegations of bias and ethical concerns, undermining judicial impartiality.