Now You Know, Pete
Pete Buttigieg shared a harrowing experience with Child Protective Services following a false allegation, emphasizing the emotional toll of such encounters. While he was quickly vindicated, he highlighted that many parents endure prolonged struggles…
Fighting Through It
The article discusses the consequences of dismissing a father's illness within legal proceedings, as exemplified by the author's experience with pneumonia and a high-conflict separation. Despite medical documentation, his former partner accused him of…
Before the Record, There Was a Marriage. This Is How It Ended — And How Everything That Followed Began.
The Still Here series documents a father's struggle to maintain a relationship with his son after a tumultuous marriage that ended with a protective order. It reveals a pattern of emotional abuse and systemic failures in recognizing male victims of…
A Paper Doesn’t Stop a Bullet. A False Accusation Helps Pull the Trigger.
Three Maryland cases reveal the same systemic failure: protective orders that identify danger but cannot stop it. At the same time, false filings dilute the system’s ability to respond to real threats — leaving children to bear the cost.
When an Allegation Becomes a Weapon
A Baltimore lawsuit challenges the use of protective orders in custody disputes, highlighting how allegations can disrupt family dynamics before being proven. It raises concerns about the impact of unproven claims on custody decisions and the balance…
Would HB 336 Have Stopped the Cycle?
Reichert v. Hornbeck highlights the detrimental effects of false accusations in custody disputes, emphasizing systemic failures within Maryland's criminal procedure. Each unsubstantiated allegation against Jeff Reichert led to repeated arrests without…
When Accusation Becomes Punishment
Maryland's House Bill 336 seeks to reform the issuance of arrest warrants by ensuring that only trained professionals, like police officers, can issue them based on verified evidence. The bill also raises penalties for false reports, aiming to protect…
Is 2026 the Year for Real Family Court Reform?
As 2026 approaches, the hope for sweeping family court reforms faces disappointment. The focus should shift from symbolic changes to evidence-based, state-specific reforms that prioritize child safety and confront false allegations. A pragmatic blueprint…
The New Indentured Class: How Family Court Creates Modern Slavery
The family court system in America is compared to modern slavery, as it strips parents of their rights, finances, and identities without due process. Coercive practices lead to financial ruin, loss of custody, and criminalization for non-criminal acts.…
Maryland Must Act: The Legislature Cannot Ignore the Systemic Failures Exposed by Clarke v. Gibson
The Maryland Supreme Court's ruling in Clarke v. Gibson reveals critical flaws in the state's protective-order system, which often deprives parents of rights without sufficient evidence. To restore fairness, lawmakers must implement statutory reforms,…