By Marie Marcelino, CFCC Student Fellow (2020-2021) It has been a full year since Covid-19 has hit and has forced the world to shut down and go into lockdown. Many people have tried to continue to live their lives as normally as possible, but the reality is that this event is a true test of…
The Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) is funding scholarships for attorneys attending this innovative online program. April 5, 2021 – The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) – Maryland Chapter has funded a new scholarship for the Post-J.D. Certificate in Family Law. Starting in Fall 2021, students enrolled in the…
A Message from Our Director These past 20 years have been a journey full of passion, innovation, and impact in family justice system reform. I am extremely proud of all that CFCC has accomplished, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who has contributed to and has supported CFCC’s work. Since CFCC’s beginning, we have…
The University of Baltimore School of Law Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC) announces the availability for purchase of its Benchbook for Family Courts on Substance Use Disorders, Second Edition, (Benchbook). The Benchbook is a valuable resource to improve decision-making and outcomes in family law cases that involve substance…
By Janai Woodhouse, CFCC Student Fellow (Fall 2020) Examining the Issue: What Is Access to Justice? Access to Justice is a systemic issue that addresses the problem people of low socioeconomic status have in obtaining equal access to the legal process. The Access to Justice effort recognizes that only some people have access to the…
By Samantha Stephan, CFCC Student Fellow, Fall 2020 Child custody determinations are based on what is in the best interests of the child. Courts and the Maryland legislature have left the term “best interests of the child” defined broadly. Instead of a statutory definition containing specificity, which many states have, courts in Maryland consider a…
By Joshua Wade, CFCC Student Fellow, Fall 2020 DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION A license to practice law is a tool possessed by few. According to the American Bar Association’s National Lawyer Population Survey,[1] as of 2020 there are approximately 41,000 active attorneys in the state of Maryland. While on its face that number may seem high, when…
By Alyssa Smith, CFCC Student Fellow, Fall 2020 Problem-solving courts are specialized dockets, usually within the criminal justice system, that seek to address the underlying problem(s) contributing to certain criminal offenses.[1] Generally, a problem-solving court involves a close collaboration among a judge(s), attorney(s), advocates, and a community service team to develop a case plan and…
By Marie Jensine Marcelino, CFCC Student Fellow, Fall 2020 Therapeutic Jurisprudence (“TJ”) is a legal framework or lens designed to consider and promote individuals’ psychological well-being. Healing, not punishment, is essential to Therapeutic Jurisprudence. Evaluating and understanding that every legal decision creates consequences for the individuals involved in a legal proceeding is critical to TJ.…