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Marylandtriallawyer.net mentioned in New Podcast on Legal Humor

Constance Camus — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 16:21:46 +0000

Geoffrey Welchman, the mind behind www.inversedeliruim.com has a new podcast on ‘legal humor.’ My blog www.marylandtriallawyer.net show is mentioned. My parents must be so proud!

We don’t mean to get litigious, but here’s Webisode 27! Listen as we explore the funny barrister subculture! Thrill to the sound of a worst-case microwave scenario! And gasp in amazement as our brave Host sits down for a tattoo!

Which reminds me of my favorite lawyer joke: What do you get when you cross a lawyer with an alligator….

…a litigator! (But you knew that.)

Are Divorce Cakes a Half Baked Idea?

Constance Camus — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:00:05 +0000

A wedding is the manifestation of the joy of two people uniting in holy matrimony for life. Sadly, a divorce – not so much. Divorce becomes a battle field. It provokes bad behavior that shock the very person displaying it. It is a process, much like grieving. At the end of the process, the relief is enormous, with the realization of new found freedom and the alleviation of tumultuous strife.

Hence, the theme of most divorce cakes and/or divorce parties is the emphasis of a fresh start – and the end of a battle.

Lately, divorce cakes have become increasingly popular and are selling like hotcakes (pun intended). Most feature either the bride or the groom pushing the partner off the cake, or stabbing them in the back or otherwise inflicting some serious bodily harm. There are also predominant themes like blood, broken hearts and scattered luggage, some even during the honeymoon.

While some might consider the whole idea too violent to be funny, makers of such cakes are thrilled about the possibilities now available to them. Some people might consider it crass and insensitive while others may view it as a fitting end to a period in their lives, as well as a chance to celebrate. I like to introduce humor rather than something too sober or vindictive so I use lots of figurines interacting with each other. Divorce can be a horrible thing but comical divorce cakes help lighten the mood; per Fay Millar, a baker in Brighton, England in a report to the Daily Mail.

“I think people are definitely coming round to the idea of shouting to the world that they are back on the market. I think it used to be taboo to have such a thing as a divorce cake because it is not traditionally viewed as an event to celebrate. However, with people like Katie Price throwing divorce parties I think people are definitely coming round to the idea of celebrating the end of a relationship and shouting to the world they are back on the market.”

Below is a slideshow of the best divorce cakes online to date, compiled by yours truly- complete with music by Pink with her song “So What?”

Temporary Protective Orders to be Heard via Video in Montgomery County

Constance Camus — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:01:15 +0000

Victims of domestic abuse in Montgomery County that take the first (and very brave) step to leave their abusers may now be alleviated from initially facing their abusers in court.

Evil Eye

It is terrifying for a victim of domestic violence to step outside the vicious cycle their life has become and file the legal documents necessary for a temporary protective order in a court of law. But studies have shown – and common sense dictates – that the prospect for the victim to present their case while the abuser is virtually standing next to them is unthinkable. Surely it has given many pause in coming forward. Bravo to the Montgomery County Family Justice Center and Foundation…may they lead the way across the country with this very significant step.

(ROCKVILLE, Md. — Sept. 28, 2009) Victims of domestic violence who come to the Montgomery County Family Justice Center (here is a great article about the Center) now have safer, easier access to justice. Thanks to a pilot program launched by the Maryland Judiciary, they can now file requests for temporary protective orders directly from the Family Justice Center and have their requests heard by judges at the Montgomery County Circuit or District Court by way of a live video link.

Video conferencing will be provided for temporary protective orders in Montgomery County courts that are ex parte — without notice to or the presence of the other party.

“The Judiciary is offering video conferencing as a way to help protect victims of domestic violence and improve access to and safety in our courthouses for all Marylanders,” said Chief Judge Ben C. Clyburn of the District Court of Maryland. “Victims no longer will have to leave the safety and security of the Family Justice Center to file petitions for protection. This will benefit victims, families and the general public we serve.”

The Montgomery County Family Justice Center opened this past spring in Rockville. Staff from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Office of State’s Attorney, Department of Health and Human Services, Montgomery County Police, House of Ruth and other private non-profits work together to provide services for domestic violence victims at the center, including help filing temporary protective orders. Protective orders generally apply to people in domestic relationships, and are issued by judges when petitioners have proved one of the following has occurred: an act that caused serious bodily harm or has placed the petitioner in fear of imminent bodily harm; an assault; rape or sexual offense; false imprisonment; or criminal stalking.

Last year, Montgomery County courts granted more than 1,850 temporary protective orders; statewide, more than 18,400 temporary protective orders were granted in Maryland’s courts.

“In addition to easier access to our courts, video conferencing reduces the danger to the victim of encountering the offender at or near the courthouse,” Judge Clyburn said. “This plan also provides more flexibility in scheduling temporary protective order cases, which is a more effective use of court time.” While they are waiting for their video hearing, victims can also receive other critical services at the Family Justice Center.

Video conferencing, which is operating as a pilot program at the Montgomery County courts, was developed in consultation with court officials, District and Circuit Court judges, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, court staff, Montgomery County government, members of the bar, other interested parties, vendors, and providers of video conferencing systems. Private funding for the equipment for this program was provided through a grant from the Verizon Wireless Hopeline Foundation.

The Montgomery County Family Justice Center also has a special room where children can play under the watch of trained volunteers. “Court buildings are not an ideal place for children, and video conferencing has an added benefit of helping to ease the stress on children, as well as reducing the disruption that is often caused by children in the courthouse or courtroom,” said Pam Harris, court administrator for the Montgomery County Circuit Court.

Family Justice Centers are fast becoming an accepted trend as they provide services for domestic violence victims at one location, enhancing their personal safety by reducing the number of places a victim has to go to receive services and minimizing barriers to services victims may face. These barriers include lack of transportation, child care, cultural issues, and language.

“Statistics have shown that the most vulnerable time for domestic violence victims is immediately following the issuance of a temporary protective order,” said Chief Deputy Darren Popkin of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. “Nationwide, jurisdictions that have opened Family Justice Centers have shown a dramatic reduction in domestic related homicides among the victims that have sought services at the centers. By co-locating services, critical safety services can be coordinated by partners at the center.”

About three-quarters of people coming to Family Justice Centers throughout the United States ask for help with filing for a temporary protective order. The Judiciary has acted to improve access to services by including attorneys and advocates for domestic violence victims in courthouses across the state.

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(Editor’s Note: For more information, contact the Maryland Judiciary Office of Communications and Public Affairs, (410) 260-1488.

Domestic Violence Billboards: Idea! – Maryland Insurance Companies Should Sponsor

Constance Camus — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 19:51:38 +0000

New NY Billboards aimed at Domestic Violence Awareness

The Daily Record/Sunday News

New billboards in York County ask: Would you recognize a victim of domestic violence?

The billboards, part of a media campaign by Access-York, show teens, an extended family and a couple.

The intent is to send a message to the community that anyone can be a victim of domestic violence, Jane Conover, managing director of the program, said in a news release.

WellSpan Health provided a grant for the billboards.

Access-York, a program of the YWCA of York, provides services to domestic violence victims. Visit www.access-york.org for more information.

Perhaps Maryland insurance companies could start giving SOMETHING BACK and pay for a few hundred billboards in Maryland, just as Wellspan Health did in New York. Think of the preventative medical costs potentially saved and the positive publicity it could generate. Or better yet, imagine saving just one life. And, in the end, you would have at least one thing to tell Jesus.

Failing that, perhaps Governor O’Malley could recommend we spend some of the VAWA STOP (Department of Justice Violence Against Women Act) federal funds – or the part of the $1.6 million allocated in our state budget earmarked for domestic violence issues. (BTW: That represents 1/200th of 1% of the state’s $31 Million dollar budget this year.)

Just a thought…

cc: Governor Martin O’Malley, Blue Cross Blue Shield

Domestic Violence: Excellent Seven Part Series in Frederick Post

Constance Camus — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:59:23 +0000

Although this excellent comprehensive domestic violence series largely concentrates on Frederick County domestic violence issues, it is well worth reading. It can be found here.