Law Commons^™

Opening A Door To Help: Legal Services Programs' Key Role In Representing Battered Immigrant Women And Child, Leslye Orloff, Amanda Baran, Laura A. Martinez-Mcintoh, Jennifer Rose

Articles in Law Reviews & Other Academic Journals

Mariella Batista approached the family court building in Riverside, California, 9- year-old son in tow, ready for her hearing. Her family law attorney, who had little domestic violence experience, had no time to meet with Mariella before the court date and arranged to meet her outside the courthouse before the hearing. Mariella, a Cuban immigrant, had a history of years of abuse at the hands of her partner and was attempting to gain control of her life by instituting legal action to gain custody of her son. Suddenly her estranged partner approached her and grabbed the boy. In fear, Mariella …