Color of Law Custody Cases

Color of Law Custody Cases
Rhode Island and other states often violate civil rights in civil courts when officials threaten to separate children from protective parents who are their lifeline. These cases may include "color of law" abuses that push the boundaries of law. Judges who allow color of law abuse in their courtrooms are guilty of "color of office."

In Family Court, we give judges ultimate power over people’s lives while taking away their curiosity, concern, and even their ability to inquire about what is really happening in these cases. This transfers the power to guardians ad litem and lawyers. These officers of the court can convince a judge--through false allegations that are frequently off the record--to remove children, imprison innocent parents, then bankrupt them through years of frivolous motions, and forbid them to talk about it--all under color of law.

In domestic abuse custody cases, this enables the abusive parent to gain extraordinary power and control over the protective parent and the children.

Here is more information about color of law:


Sunday, March 11, 2012

10.L. Every courtroom needs a ruler


On Friday afternoon two parents stand before the judge, with a lawyer between them saying one has stalked out of mediation. He angrily denies it and insists that his favorite psychologist can settle their case.

Next in line, Attorney Gifford questions her client, "Barbara," who also refuses to mediate.

What's a judge to do? At the end of a long week, the answer finally comes to me:

Let the deputy sheriff measure the nose of each litigant and lawyer every time a question is asked or answered. We will soon see which side is telling the truth.


(Pinocchio, drawn by Enrico Mazzanti for The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, 1883.)
Posted by at