On December 14, the Department of Justice released a brief timeline of its efforts at reforming the juvenile justice system from 2012 – present. During this time, the Department of Justice concentrated its efforts in some of the most problematic jurisdictions in the nation. As the DOJ explains it: “The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division […]
Continue reading →Lisa Castillo and her two daughters with Attorney Vincent Davis, founder of the Law Offices of Vincent W. Davis & Associates, who represented the family in their legal action against L.A. County. LA COUNTY SETTLES FOR $999,999 According to papers filed with the U.S. District Court last Friday, a settlement of $999,999 was approved by […]
Continue reading →Many years after an historic series of legal battles began concerning the use of Supplemental Security Income by the foster care industry was waged in the courts, a modest step toward the attainment of a longstanding promise to foster children and their families has been taken by the Social Security Administration. Writing on the Social […]
Continue reading →“Deprivation of liberty pending trial is harsh and oppressive, subjects defendants to economic and psychological hardship, interferes with their ability to defend themselves, and, in many instances, deprives their families of support. This impact may be exacerbated for indigent individuals who, as a consequence of their poverty, are already in vulnerable situations. “In short, bail […]
Continue reading →In 2014, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed bills to improve foster care, expanding Public Advocate Letitia James oversight over New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services. Today, she stands rebuked by a federal judge for giving the appearance of “collusive activity” in connection with her efforts to promote a particular reform agenda. Introduction Last year, […]
Continue reading →Scott and Robin Galehouse may have thought they were charting new territory when – after winning their case, and having their daughter returned home – they challenged the bill they were handed for her “care” while in the hands of the state. But the Michigan Court of Appeals had gone down this road before. On […]
Continue reading →It is a story that quietly continues to emerge nationwide. And it is not confined to the urban areas of the nation, rather it impacts vulnerable women and children in suburban and rural areas as well. Patti Jo Peterson, managing editor of The Plattsmouth Journal, recently reported on a comprehensive study concerning prostitution and human […]
Continue reading →“There is unacceptable and then there’s disgraceful. We need to change the system to protect these children from being hurt over and over again. I hope Foster Shock will let people see the dysfunction under privatization and move them to demand action.” Director and Producer Mari Frankel Privatization The privatization of foster care has been […]
Continue reading →A longstanding miscarriage of justice in a string of “shaken baby” cases that swept the Nation has been potentially set aright by a decision filed by the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division Two, on January 5. Tuesday’s opinion ends a long, dark chapter in the life of Heidi Charlene Fero, who was convicted of […]
Continue reading →In a New York case set for a jury trial this month, defendants have settled out of court with a family for $250,000. It started as most CPS cases do; with a call to the hotline. This particular call came in to New York State’s centralized hotline, where reports are “screened” to determine whether they […]
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