January 2021
Full Court Press is the newsletter of the University of Baltimore School of Law Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC).
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Therapeutic Jurisprudence: A Fresh Perspective on What Is Possible in 2021 and Beyond |
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By Barbara A. Babb
Our expectations for a more comprehensive view of family justice stem from the premise that each family is unique and that the issues that lead families to seek help from the courts are correspondingly distinct. Laws governing families are designed to address their legal difficulties, but the application of the law to the facts of each family’s life requires a nuanced perspective that considers the family’s particular circumstances. So too, does the recognition that legal relief is not the sole solution to most family law cases. Other issues that need resolution come into play, such as economic hardship, and medical and mental health difficulties. This requires the court to care about such issues. Care and caring must undergird both the structure and the operation of family courts.
Family law attorneys, judges, court staff, and service providers who ground their approaches to family law cases in therapeutic jurisprudence (TJ) can make a significant contribution to a fair and more effective family justice system. TJ is a concept that has emerged from mental health law and now is applied internationally to broad areas of the law, including family law.
Barbara A. Babb is the Founder and Director of the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts.
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The Caring Lawyer: Applying the Principles of Therapeutic Jurisprudence |
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What is therapeutic jurisprudence? How can you incorporate it into your practice? How can the practice of therapeutic jurisprudence benefit you and your clients? How can judges, court staff, and service providers employ therapeutic jurisprudence?
The University of Baltimore School of Law will sponsor a free webinar on the practice of therapeutic jurisprudence on February 18, 2021, from 5:30 pm to 7 pm, as part of the UB Law in Focus series. Register here. The TJ webinar will be a conversation, featuring experienced panel members who will share their insights, followed by questions from attendees. All are welcome.
Many attorneys are skilled in the application of therapeutic jurisprudence, the perspective or framework maintaining that all interventions into clients’ legal problems and related non-legal issues should make matters better, not worse, as a result of the law’s involvement. When they apply therapeutic jurisprudence, they become true partners with the clients they serve, creating opportunities to tailor and expand their legal practices in unique and rewarding ways.
Learn how you can incorporate therapeutic jurisprudence into your legal practice and court system from our distinguished panel: Professor David Wexler, University of Puerto Rico School of Law and President, International Society of Therapeutic Jurisprudence; The Honorable Miriam B. Hutchins (Ret.), Associate Judge, District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City; Amanda Odorimah, Esq., Hearns Law Group, LLP; Spencer Hall, Esq., CFCC Truancy Court Program Coordinator; Jasmine Martinez, current UB law student; and Professor Barbara Babb, Founder and Director, Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts, moderator.
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Benchbook for Family Courts on Substance Use Disorders Just Released |
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The University of Baltimore School of Law Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts released its new Benchbook for Family Courts on Substance Use Disorders, Second Edition (Benchbook) on January 12, 2021.
The Benchbook is a valuable resource to improve decision-making and outcomes in family law cases that involve substance use. The Benchbook provides an authoritative and concise description of addiction and substance abuse issues; presents information regarding best practices, resources, and science; and suggests ways judges, magistrates, and others in the family court system can work more effectively with treatment providers to resolve family problems.
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are some of the most critical and pervasive public health problems of our time. Judges, attorneys, court staff, and other professionals working with families may not have a complete and current understanding of SUDs, the causes, the symptoms and available treatments. Without that understanding, both the families and the court system are destined to a revolving door of repeat court appearances and unresolved family crises.
The Benchbook for Family Courts on Substance Use Disorders provides valuable insight into the science of addiction, the treatment of SUDs, how SUDs affect children and families in many family law cases, and how family courts can intervene in ways that lead to better outcomes. The good news is that with a recognized neurobiological basis for substance use disorders, there is potential for recovery. Evidence-based interventions can prevent harmful substance use and related problems, and the courts have considerable power to influence individuals suffering from these disorders.
Authors of the Benchbook include Professor Barbara A. Babb, CFCC’s Director; Gloria H. Danziger, Esquire, and former CFCC Senior Fellow; The Honorable Susan L. Dobrich, The Honorable Peggy Fulton Hora (deceased); and Rebecca M. Stahl, Esquire, and CFCC Deputy Director. “We cannot announce this work without acknowledging the tremendous contributions of Judge Hora, a dear friend to me and respected colleague,” Professor Babb said. “She was a driving force on the Benchbook and wrote several chapters.” Judge Hora passed away unexpectedly and tragically in October 2020.
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Noteworthy
Presentations, Collaborations and Events
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February 18, 2021, 5:30 to 7 pm — The Caring Lawyer: Applying the Principles of Therapeutic Jurisprudence. A free webinar. Register here.
April 8, 2021, 5:30 to 7 pm — 20th Anniversary Virtual Celebration of CFCC and 15th Anniversary Virtual Celebration of CFCC’s Truancy Court Program. Mark your calendars now! More details to come. For more information, contact cfcc@ubalt.edu.
Spring 2021 and July 2021 — The University of Baltimore Law Review will publish a symposium issue (Spring 2021) devoted to therapeutic jurisprudence scholarship, and Family Court Review, published by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, will feature a special issue (July 2021) consisting of articles focused on family law/therapeutic jurisprudence topics. For more information, contact cfcc@ubalt.edu.
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Authors Barbara A. Babb and Judith D. Moran envision the family court as a "care center" and make a compelling case that reforms to the family justice system are necessary to achieve positive, long-lasting outcomes for families and children.
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CFCC's Truancy Court Program Toolkit, Second Edition provides a step-by-step guide on how to start and maintain an effective truancy reduction program. The Toolkit can be adapted to suit individual schools or entire jurisdictions.
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About CFCC
The Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC) promotes policies and practices that unite families, communities and the justice system to improve the lives of children and families and the health of communities. CFCC advocates the use of therapeutic jurisprudence, the understanding that the legal system has an effect on behavior, emotions and mental health.
CFCC is led by Barbara A. Babb, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Baltimore School of Law; Founder and Director of the Sayra and Neil Meyerhoff Center for Families, Children and the Courts; Director of the Post-J.D. Certificate in Family Law program at the University of Baltimore School of Law; and Editor-in-Chief of Family Court Review, published by Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.
CFCC Staff and Contributors
Rebecca Stahl, CFCC Deputy Director; Michele Hong, CFCC Program Manager; Arion Alston, Truancy Court Program Mentor; Spencer Hall, Truancy Court Program Coordinator; Katrice Williams, CFCC Program Administrative Specialist.
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