Have your voice or concerns been ignored by judges in the Family Court System in Baltimore County or surrounding counties? You are not alone.

 

• The Alarming 76% Increase In Parental Complaints against Maryland Family Court decisions underscores a **Systemic Crisis** in the state's judicial system. 
  Countless families have been torn apart by Biased Rulings and inexcusable delays, with many parents enduring **months or even years of separation from their children**. This injustice affects families across all cultural and economic backgrounds, inflicting profound harm on parents, guardians, and—most critically—innocent children.
     
•  Maryland's Family Court System has failed in its fundamental duty to protect families. **Mothers, fathers, grandparents, and caregivers** find themselves powerless against judges who make decisions that unjustly strip them of their parental rights. 
   
• The emotional toll on children is immeasurable, while parents face crippling legal costs and psychological trauma. The system is plagued by allegations of **Systemic Bias**, unequal access to justice, and a disturbing lack of accountability.
   

           "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,"

                          as Martin Luther King Jr. famously stated.

                         Consider Maryland alarming statistics:

 

● Over 2,000 signatures have been collected since April 2020 by concerned parents, guardians, and allies demanding reform.
 

● A study by the University of Baltimore School of Law found that in **contested custody cases, fathers were awarded primary physical custody only 11.8% of the time**, despite a presumption of joint custody in Maryland law.
 

● 531 Mothers express unprofessional remarks coming from Judges such as criticizing the mother for using government assistance, remarks about the community she lived in, which shifts shame instead of recognizing her need. 

● 341 Grandparents in Maryland have shared the emotional trauma they’ve endured due to being separated from their grandchildren. This separation not only tears apart families but also exacerbates the emotional toll on children who are deprived of meaningful relationships with their grandparents. Maryland family courts must recognize the value of extended family bonds and work towards policies that prioritize keeping families united. Family court reforms are necessary to prevent such devastating outcomes and ensure that children maintain connections with loving family members. These stories highlight an urgent need for systemic change.

● The Maryland Judiciary's own data shows that **family law cases have the highest rate of self-represented litigants at 80%**, highlighting the inaccessibility of legal representation for many families.

● If these injustices persist, the consequences will be dire. More families will be destroyed, children will suffer long-term emotional damage, and public trust in the judicial system will continue to erode. However, with comprehensive reform, we can restore fairness, equity, and transparency to the Family Court system.

 

The time for change is now. We urgently call upon Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown to:

1. Conduct a thorough audit of gender-biased rulings and cases where parents have been unjustly denied access to their children for extended periods.

 

JOIN US in this critical movement by signing this petition today. Together, we can amplify our voices and demand a fairer and more just Family Court System that truly serves all Maryland families. Let us act now to protect our children's well-being and ensure that no family falls victim to a system that has lost sight of its purpose.