By Roy John Williams, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) The CFCC Student Fellows recently toured the Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center (BCJJC). I was impressed by the aesthetic qualities of this massive but modern building. BCJJC is a beautiful facility with towering windows at the entrance that create a welcoming feeling. BCJJC is a one-stop shop…
By Mary Stover, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) On a recent Wednesday I, along with other CFCC Student Fellows, observed an uplifting morning in the Adult Drug Treatment Court at the Baltimore City District Court. At the conclusion of each of seven brief status hearings, the presiding judge, the Honorable Martin Dorsey, congratulated the compliant participant,…
By Samantha Hugo, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) Why does society look down on the practice of family law? When did family law practitioners fall into disfavor? Is it because of a misconception that family law cases cover an area that society believes is insignificant? Family law attorneys are often dismissed as social workers in comparison…
By Kathleen Seifert, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) This semester, the CFCC Student Fellows learned about the importance of employing therapeutic jurisprudence[1] and preventive law[2] to maximize positive, therapeutic outcomes for people involved in various courts. Problem-solving courts “address matters that are under the court’s jurisdiction through a multidisciplinary and integrated approach that incorporates collaboration among court, government,…
By Chelsey Seger, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) The Jungle Book is a story of a young boy who must adapt to his environment to survive. For many children in Baltimore City, their home and social environments resemble a jungle of poverty and violence, and they, too, must adapt their behavior to survive. Imagine that you…
By Christelle-grace Lowe, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) Zero tolerance policy is a disciplinary approach that allows school authorities to expel students from school without a thorough analysis of the reasons for the behavior that led to the expulsion. For example, under some zero tolerance policies, students found with weapons, alcohol, or drugs are automatically suspended…
By Taylor LoSchiavo, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) Any legal proceeding has the potential to be life changing; however, family law proceedings, in particular, can change the basic family structure for the parties. One family can become two, which could then become three or more families. This is not to suggest that such a division is…
By Samantha Hugo, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) Why does society look down on the practice of family law? When did family law practitioners fall into disfavor? Is it because of a misconception that family law cases cover an area that society believes is insignificant? Family law attorneys are often dismissed as social workers in comparison…
By Alexandra Hilton, CFCC Student Fellow (2016-2017) Truancy in Baltimore City is a major and pervasive problem. Youth are “truant” when they miss school for unexcused reasons, such as inclement weather, family holidays, and babysitting family members, among others. Many believe that the most effective approach to chronic unexcused absence is to punish or coerce…