Board Certified Family Law Specialist Matt Arnold answers the question: “What is an Absolute Divorce?”
It is something that very few people give much thought to: divorce behind bars. Though it seldom makes it on to most people’s radar, it can present enormous problems. Getting divorced while incarcerated is difficult if not outright impossible in some instances. This can mean that many resign themselves to being trapped in bad marriages or stuck with unresolved custody issues, which can create hopelessness among those already struggling to hold onto dreams of their future.
Judge Dickler created a program that allows prisoners across Illinois to appear by camera in her courtroom on certain days each month. Through the use of technology, she has managed to close a seemingly impossible gap. Inmates who were unable to get release to attend required court hearings can now appear via camera from their current location. Previously, local family courts required participants in a divorce to appear in person, especially for the final phase of the divorce. To be able to leave jail and appear in court, the person would have to have filed documents in person with the local county clerk. Next, they would need to apply for a formal leave to attend a hearing. So what’s the issue? Maddeningly, the rules required that for a leave to be granted the person would have to first have a hearing on the books, leaving many inmates trapped in an endless circle.
In addition to solving the issue of physical appearance, Dickler has also solved a problem of finances. Working in conjunction with various legal aid groups, the participants in her long distance courtroom are all given pro-bono representation. Many of those participating are women, a long under-served group in need to special assistance. Women inmates in Illinois on average made less money prior to incarceration than their male counterparts and have less family support than male inmates. Without the pro-bono help, many would have nowhere to turn.
The larger goal of the program is to ensure that inmates are able secure the assistance of a judge in resolving family law disputes. For many, this means ending bad marriages. Though it may seem trivial, studies show that 75% of female inmates have been victims of domestic violence. Allowing them to finally turn a page on their destructive relationships offers hope of a fresh start for when they are released. The long distance courtroom also allows inmates to address custody issues, preserving their ability to later make claims for increased visitation or custody upon release.
Everyone, regardless of their income or current situation, deserves access to the justice system. Though many people assume this access is limited to criminal matters, family law can prove just as crucial. The family law world impacts some of your most intimate relationships, those with spouses, children and even parents. Hopefully projects like this one are extended to other cities and states so that families across the country can reap similar benefits.
If you find yourself facing a complicated family law matter, then you need the help of experienced family-law attorneys in Charlotte, North Carolina who can help guide you through the often confusing process of divorce. Please contact Arnold & Smith, PLLC today at (704) 370-2828 or find additional resources here.
About the Author:
Mr. Arnold was raised in Charlotte, where he graduated from Providence Senior High School. He attended Belmont Abbey College, where he graduated cum laude, before attending law school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill on a full academic scholarship.
A certified Family-Law Specialist, Mr. Arnold is admitted to practice in all state and administrative courts in North Carolina, before the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, and before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia.
In his free time, Mr. Arnold enjoys golfing and spending time with his wife and three children.
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