Many people enter courtrooms daily with a feeling that they will obtain justice in American courtrooms with fair hearings and impartial trials. As many litigants leave the very same doors, they often have a perspective drastically different about the competence and integrity of the legal system in its' entirety. Unfortunately, entering an American courtroom armed only with the truth or on an ideal of what is morally right is no longer enough as the systems originally created by our forefathers to be impartial are plagued with procedures, rules, conflicts of interests, and more that only seem to benefit lawyers, judges, and state actors.

An understanding of court rules, statutes, rules of evidence, investigation procedures, and more are all necessary to properly understand how to properly represent yourself in the courtroom, but more importantly how to monitor representation if you are paying for it. It is best to study up this type of information before retaining an attorney or entering a courtroom.

• Massachusetts Court Information: http://masscourts.blogspot.com
• Missouri Court Information: http://mocourts.blogspot.com
• Mississippi Court Information: http://mscourts.blogspot.com

We need to have transparently operating court systems that are not bound by contracts to perform for other branches of the government and also court systems that are not so focused on revenue generation for themselves and the other branches of the various levels of government. In the interim it is imperative to understand and guard yourself against lawyers that are merely guiding you through an administrative system quickly rather than advocating for you judicially completely.

If you have specific information in the state court information that you would like added, just email us at getyourjusticelive@sbcglobal.net and we will consider it for the public resource pages. By increasing the information available to the general public, it increases the level of competence and thereby raises the integrity of the courts where litigants can police judicial activities.

Now here is a novel approach to advocacy that you can prepare for this week. Lighting Candles Worldwide... How cheap is a candle for you, your family, and your friends. Take out an ad with your local non-profit organization, or one of your choosing, and let your local community know a place that you will be at to light candles on December 18, 2008 (7PM Eastern) for our children and their need to have both parents and extended family members involved in their lives.

From the Lighting Candles Worldwide Website:

Imagine for a moment Lighting Candles World Wide and all at the same time. Imagine your child knowing we are Lighting Candles World Wide just for them.

We have given this a lot of thought and we have come to the conclusion that everyone can light a candle at their home or in their home town at a designated place.

You can be apart of Lighting Candles World Wide to show a united front for the children and their need to have both parents and grandparents in their lives.

We have chosen December 18, 2008 at 7:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (more time zones below) for our first annual Lighting Candles World Wide which is exactly one week before Christmas. This is the hardest time of year for those missing their children, but especially for the children who are missing a parent or grandparents or in some casessiblings and of course their extended family.

Thank you to Three-Sides-To-Every-Story for initiating this simple and effective event that people in every community can enjoy. Just take an ad out this week or next and let people know about it. Work with a church, school, or other non-profit organizatons to bring this issue to the public eye. Be sure to invite press and have a press release ready.

I have claimed repeatedly that the super majority of Parental Alienation is caused by system dysfunction. Some people disagree, but so far all who have joined us on Get Off The Bench on seem to have come to a similar conclusion. Those that disagree slowly are coming around and understanding that their ex-spouses are merely participating in a system that allows parental alienation to exist and encourages two parents to continue fighting against each other for money, children, and property as the final prize. Invites were sent out to numerous leaders and we were joined with a very lively chat board discussing the topic of Parental Alienation.

In addition, we had a surprise guest from Wisconsin. Pamela Wright of the Alliance for Single Parents joined us to discuss Parental Alienation and is quoted as saying... "I think if the system wasn't setup the way that it is that parental alienation would not even by an issue." She comes in around 40 minutes into the show with a thorough discussion on the topic and several other commentators joined us until the end of the show. Her experience and understanding of parental alienation is an invaluable addition to the show.

We also covered differentiating parental alienation from child abuse/neglect as covered by Richard Gardner in 1999. Many people have tried to mesh Parental Alienation as Child Abuse, while Gardner clearly demonstrates that they are separate. We also explored yahoo group behavior and and conformity versus non-conformity in getting to the truth and facts. Sometimes people are following and being encouraged to fight the wrong enemy. See a spiritual lesson for those that share in a similar faith about fighting the wrong enemy below.

You don't want to miss this episode this episode of Get Off The Bench.

We need to respect and protect the parent-child relationship to eliminate parental alienation. The solution is parental rights protection and recognizing that parents are co-equal. Let's work together to make this possible.

Spiritual Lesson Regarding Fighting the Right Enemy.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh. (2 Corinthians 10:3)

Do you know why so many believers are losing the battles in their lives?

They're fighting the wrong enemy!

They've been deceived into believing that just because a person said or did something to hurt them, that person is the one they need to fight.

But they're wrong.

You see, the Bible says we don't wrestle with flesh and blood. And since people are definitely flesh and blood, they're never the source of our problem.

It doesn't matter. If you waste your time fighting So-and-so, your real enemy will get away scot-free.

Who is that real enemy? Look at Ephesians 6:12, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

Trial by Money Host, Robert Neff, joined Get Off The Bench with Lary Holland on Wednesday October 29, 2008. The two had a casual discussion on what just about anyone can do to get involved with reforming the many problems that exist in today's hostile family court environment. Robert Neff discussed his campaign against the retention of one Illinois Judge as well as the a variety of topics ranging from the "End of America" to "Non-Violent Civil Disobedience." Listen today if you missed the live broadcast.

Get Off The Bench airs live every Sunday and Wednesday Night at 8PM Eastern. Free advocacy conference calls are available on Monday evenings, also at 8PM Eastern. Find out what others are doing and learn how you can help reshape our nation's hostile family court system and balance the government's failed policies dealing with our families.

To participate live via telephone, call in during our live broadcast at:

Live Call Ins: 724-444-7444

Talk Cast Id: 43507

Need a pin: 1+#

As always you can visit our broadcast website at http://www.getyourjusticelive.com or subscribe to our xml/rss feed at http://feeds.feedburner.com/GetOffTheBench.

The official links to this site and associated resources can be found using these convenient links:

Official Get Off The Bench Talk Show Website: http://www.getyourjusticelive.com

Official Get Off The Bench MySpace.Com Site: http://www.myspace.com/getoffthebench

Official Get Off The Bench Meet Up Group Site: http://noncustodial.meetup.com/90/

Official Get Off The Bench Feedburner (SUBSCRIBE): Subscribe to Get Off The Bench

Official Lary Holland Blog Site: http://www.laryholland.com/serendipity

Official Nationwide Blueprint for Title IV-D Reform: http://www.nationwideblueprint.com

Official Lary Holland MySpace.Com Site: http://www.myspace.com/laryholland

If you find a dead link, you can always use google to search for the correct one by using site:laryholland.com "search terms you are looking for" and it will come up quickly.

Also you can keep up to date by joining our Meetup Group at the link listed above or join us for our weekly "Get Off The Bench" Internet Talk Shows.

RADAR: Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting. Despite the best of intentions, our nation's effort to curb domestic violence is not working. Current solutions not only fail to reduce domestic violence, but also create other severe problems. Families are being undermined and children harmed. Innocent Americans are penalized based on false accusations. And victims of violence are re-victimized by a rigid system that ignores their wishes, or excludes them altogether.

Alan Karmin joined host Lary Holland on Get Off The Bench on October 1, 2008 to discuss Domestic Violence Awareness Month, RADAR, raising the evidentiary standards on Personal Protection Orders, and many other necessary changes to the Domestic Violence Programs in the United States.

To listen or download this Episode of Get Off The Bench.

Information about Alan Karmin:

Alan Karmin is an award-winning writer and published author. In his latest work, The Measure of a Man. The Measure of a Man, Alan documents his odyssey going up against an unfriendly family court system after being falsely accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife.

Honored by the New Jersey State Legislature for “Praiseworthy Determination and Spirit,” he has been an active board member of the Family Support Organization of Union County, New Jersey Council for Children’s Rights, Safe Harbor Child Access Centers and RADAR (Respecting Accuracy in Domestic Abuse Reporting).

An expert in management and building of non-profit organizations, Alan is the Executive Director of Literacy Volunteers of Somerset County, as well as Director of the New Jersey Alliance for Family Support Organizations. He has also held titles as Executive Director of Development of Easter Seals New Jersey, the Tri-County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Bloomfield College .

Alan graduated from the University of Miami , Coral Gables , Florida with a degree in Communications. A resident of Westfield , New Jersey , he is a single father with sole custody of his two children.

About the Episode. Discussions ranging from the Violence Against Women Act, the Landmark New Jersey Case Crespo v. Crespo, Fix Vawa Now, and False Allegations of Domestic Violence hurting real victims.

You can vote on the article at current.com.

http://current.com/items/89364441_false_domestic_violence_allegations_hurt_real_victimes_alan_karmin_on_get_off_the_bench

The Harvard Law Record, Harvard Law School's Independent Newspaper Since 1946, published an article on their website today titled "Alec Baldwin Takes on Family Law."

There were some talking points in the article that I definitely had to agree with. In fact, Alec Baldwin proposed a new default rule for custody procedings. It makes perfect sense to raise the evidentiary standard and add the presumption listed below to keep petty arguments from ever reaching and congesting our courts.

"He called for a presumption of innocence, and a standard of shared, 50-50 custody - unless a party could prove something fundamentally wrong with the parenting skills of the other."

Can't say I could disagree with that Baldwin's comments there. I would take it as far as they do in other forms of proceedings involving the protection of children which would provide "best efforts for reunification" in the event that a flaw was identified. This would protect the rights of parents to be the caretakers of their own children. Government oversight should be a limited oversight when it comes to our families. If there is a problem, help a family get through the problem. Don't pit parent against parent in an all out war where the children and property of the parties is the prize.

Baldwin had no less harsh criticism for judges, whom, Baldwin believed, whether appointed or elected, made decisions based on political pressure. Most of the latitude within the courts, he continued, belonged to powerful law firms. The role of money was powerful in divorce cases, he said, observing that cases were made to drag on much longer than necessary because of the obstacles presented by wealthy couples' lawyers.

To Baldwin, the lack of oversight that ordinary people could exercise over law meant that the legal system looked like "a game two lawyers play ¦if a guy cuts another guy's throat, and he wins, it's a game. Nothing that looks or smells like justice," Baldwin concluded, "walks into an American courtroom anymore."

I would encourage people to go and read the entire article at the HL Record and draw your own conclusions. The important thing is that people are talking about this stuff on a more regular basis and now it is time to begin dismantling an industry that otherwise is encouraging the breakdown of parent-child relationships nationwide. Simply put, parental rights must be respected and protected by all, including judges, legislators, and especially other parents. Children deserve to have the love, care, and affection of both parents.

Original Article Source:

http://media.www.hlrecord.org/media/storage/paper609/news/2008/10/02/News/Alec-Baldwin.Takes.On.Family.Law-3465467.shtml

Ohio NBC 4 Contines Updates on Fathers 4 Justice Crane Protest. There have been unconfirmed reports that police agencies may be mobilizing to take the crane by force to remove Donald Tenn, the last remaining father from a Crane in Columbus Ohio.

Paul Fisher was arraigned earlier this morning after climbing down from the Crane Monday evening for Felony Vandalism, under the accusation that bolt cutters may have been used to gain entry to the crane site where two Fathers 4 Justice members climbed atop a 100ft Crane.

According to Ohio Revised Code 2909.05 under Section (E) the applicable Felony could a be fourth or fifth degree offense brought against the protesters. These technicalities affect the severity of punishment. Along with other overriding provisions of ORC 2929.11 there can be a fine of up to $2500.00.

According to Ohio Revised Code 2909.11 pertaining to felony sentencing ..."The overriding purposes of felony sentencing are to protect the public
from future crime by the offender and others and to punish the offender. To achieve those purposes, the sentencing court shall consider the need for incapacitating the offender, deterring the offender and others from future crime, rehabilitating the offender, and making restitution to the victim of the offense, the public, or both."

Additionally, no matter the outcome of either trial, a conviction, or restitution assignment, nothing in these statutes prohibit the bringing of a civil action for additional damages against any of the alleged suspects or their associates which has been expressly preserved in the Ohio Revise Code under pertinent and numerous sections.

Two quotes come to mind immediately after reading some of the information are these: "In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act" according to George Orwell, but that is quickly followed up by the philosophy of Voltaire in his statement that "It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong."

NBC 4 News Coverage - Day 3 for 2 Dads on a Crane: http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-09-29-0025.html

NBC 4 News Coverage - Down to One Dad On a Crane: http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-09-30-0010.html

Family Court Reports Previous Blog Entries on Fathers 4 Justice News Stories for the past week:

Ohio NBC 4 News Covers Fathers 4 Justice: http://www.laryholland.com/serendipity/archives/540-Ohio-NBC-4-Covers-Fathers-4-Justice.html

Take a Look At This on WDEF - CBS Covers Fathers 4 Justice: http://www.laryholland.com/serendipity/archives/541-Take-a-Look-At-This-on-WDEF-CBS-Covers-Fathers-4-Justice.html

Stay tuned at Family Court Reports as more official information is released. There is no question that we need investigations into how our government has been conducting themselves at various levels and where the government fails to act hopefully our press steps up to the challenge.

WDEF confirms and gets the story right. "Two superheroes protest for PARENTAL RIGHTS." After confirming this story WDEF (CBS) briefly covers the story that NBC 4 covered earlier. The also have some video exerpts that aired earlier today.

You can view the story and the video with WDEF (CBS Ohio) by visiting the links below:

STORY LINK: http://wdef.com/news/take_a_look_at_this/09/2008_10

VIDEO LINK: http://wdef.com/video/take_a_look_at_this/09/2008_10

CBS News in the Tennessee Valley is a CNN Affiliate and if people contact the tipline at CNN and let them know, there is a possibility that it will get a blip on National Media. Act quick. Time is short for our superheroes.

Send thank you notes to the CBS Tennessee:

Phone: (423) 785-1200
Fax: (423) 785-1271

WDEF News 12
3300 Broad Street
Chattanooga, TN 37408

Contact News
news@wdef.com

You can contact CNN by following these links:

Do an independent IREPORT: http://www.cnn.com/ireport/

Send an email to CNN by sending emails to newstips@cnn.com

Keep up to date on the Fathers 4 Justice Coverage at http://www.laryholland.com/serendipity/

NBC 4 in Ohio recently covered a developing story with Fathers 4 Justice. Two Fathers 4 Justice members are camped on top of a 100ft crane near Ohio State University with a banner that states "Stop the War on Fatherhood."

A link to the story can be found here: http://www.nbc4i.com/midwest/cmh/news.apx.-content-articles-CMH-2008-09-29-0002.html

According to the article:

"The fathers said they will come down when the governors from both
states agree to a non-partisan investigation into the family court
system in their respective states."

In the words of my father "I hope they packed a lunch." Groups and even some legislators have been calling for investigations in the improprieties of family courts for years.

If you have additional information about the developing story or want to convey your personal comments to Ohio NBC 4, you can contact them directly.

Newsdesk: stories@nbc4i.com and Laurie Omness: lomness@wcmh.com. If you would like your comments heard, you can submit your statements to laryholland@laryholland.com and they will be added to this alert.

One of my favorite sites out there on the Internet "Protein Wisdom" posted a link to our Current TV spot from the Michigan Equal Parenting Rally. Their website boasts a large national audience and people are seeing whole-heartedly what Michigan Leadership is doing to the Michigan Family. I tend to agree with the Michigan Taxpayer Association that Speaker of the House Andy Dillon should indeed be recalled. Michigan State Representative John Stahl is quoted in summary that "Speaker Dillon believes that your children are all wards of the state."

Current.Com (Current TV) Spot: House Leadership Stalls Protection of Parental Rights.
http://current.com/items/89346296_michigan_house_leadership_stalls_protection_of_parental_rights

Protein Wisdom: “First they raise your taxes and now they want to raise your children.” http://proteinwisdom.com/pub/?p=1775

Original Post Story Regarding the Speakers is located at Lary Holland's Blog: http://www.laryholland.com/serendipity/archives/538-Michigan-Equal-Parenting-Rally-Legislators-are-Ready-to-Press-the-Button.html

Be sure to contact your State Legislator and let them know that your children are not wards of the state and that your right to direct the care, education, and upbringing rests with you and not the politicians. You can use the following contact sheet to call every one of the State Legislators and "tell them to stop allowing House Leadership to Stall House Joint Resolution NN." Just two to five minutes of your day can make a difference for Parental Rights everywhere.

Lansing, Michigan. Several Michigan State Legislators voiced their positions and willingness to "press the button now" to allow voters the chance to approve a landmark parental rights amendment to the Michigan State Constitution. "Michigan Legislators and Family Rights Organizations from West Virginia, Florida, Ohio, and Michigan were present and in support of House Joint Resolution NN, which is the first of its kind nationwide," according to Lary Holland, Executive Director of Write to Parent, Inc.

Original Article: http://www.laryholland.com/serendipity/archives/537-Michigan-Legislators-and-Family-Rights-Organizations-Set-to-Rally-Tuesday-September-23,-2008.html

WLNS Channel 6: http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=765393&nav=menu25_1_1_12

Michigan's House Joint Resolution NN in pertinent part: "Parents and Legal Guardians have a natural and fundamental right to direct the care, education, and upbringing of their children. No government action shall burden, abridge, or hinder this natural, fundamental right unless it is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that compelling governmental interest."

Youtube: Lary Holland at Equal Parenting Rally

Youtube: Michigan Representative Rick Jones

Youtube: Michigan Representative Candidate (43rd District) Scott Hudson

Youtube: Michigan Representative John Garfield

Youtube: Chrissy Chrzanowski on Parental Alienation and Parental Rights

More Youtube Videos Will Be Released on Sunday September 28, 2008 so check back soon! Michigan Representative Jack Hoogendyk, Dave Taylor of the Oakland County Friend of the Court Citizen Advisory Committee, Michigan Representative Marty Knollenberg, Michigan Representative Fulton Sheen, Michigan Representative Candidate David C. Irons, Dads and Moms Representative Andrew Thompson, Michigan Representative Kim Meltzer, Michigan Representative John Stahl. Also, stay tuned for video of Alec Baldwin and Parental Alienation.

An interesting resource that might be worth circulating to the mental health community, including those associated with court services, is the Differential Diagnosis of the Three Levels of Parental Alienation Syndrome. Although the work refers to the syndrome, and there is an occasional dispute associated with the use of the term syndrome, there is little denying the reality that high conflict divorce and custody disputes are hard on children.

Whether you agree with the term syndrome or not, it has little bearing on the reality that children are often caught in the middle of parents' problems, especially when those problems boil into the courtrooms. One of the solutions identified is to remove many of the disputes from the courtroom and raising evidentiary standards while penalizing parents that are fighting through their children. It is essential to stop parents from dragging frivolous arguments into the court about the other parent. Let's face it, children thrive when they have access to both fit, willing, and caring parents and that means raising the bar and adjusting the system to "respect and protect parental rights" at both the parental level and the governmental level. Some interesting statistics regarding access to both parents can be found at http://www.childrenneedbothparents.net.

By implementing protections between parent's that want to abuse the court system and penalizing parents for bad behaviors we could make some strides in reducing the opportunity for parents to engage in high-conflict. Another such stride is mandating equal custody and equal parenting time for all fit, willing, and caring parents while penalizing those parents that refuse to cooperate with each other post-separation. "You don't have to like your co-workers and you are still able to do your job, especially when procedures ensure that cooperation" states Lary Holland of Family Court Reports.

"Dr. Brody is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 35 years of experience in providing counseling services to individuals, couples, families, children and groups. Dr. Brody is a clinical member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He has comprehensive training and experience in conducting child custody evaluations and has testified frequently as an expert witness in court on such issues as child custody, visitation, Parental Alienation Syndrome, domestic violence and abuse. Dr. Brody has been qualified as an expert in both state and federal court. He has also written two chapters for the recently published International Handbook of Parental Alienation Syndrome, and is recognized as an expert on Parental Alienation Syndrome."