The Maryland Judiciary has introduced a series of 13 online videos aimed at assisting the public with understanding legal processes related to child custody, child welfare, and expungement. The videos, ranging from three to seven minutes in length, are designed to explain complex legal concepts in straightforward language.
A significant focus is on the expungement series, which consists of six parts detailing how individuals can remove information from court and law enforcement records. This release coincides with new expungement laws that take effect today, October 1. The videos guide viewers on eligibility for expungement and the process of filing a petition.
Additional content covers court procedures in family law cases involving child custody and child welfare. Chief Judge Mary Ellen Barbera of the Maryland Court of Appeals stated, "The Judiciary is committed to providing equal access to justice for all Marylanders." She emphasized that while not everyone has access to legal representation, these resources aim to equip self-representing individuals with valuable legal information.
These self-help videos form part of the My Laws, My Courts, My Maryland online video library. They are available with closed captions in English and Spanish and include tip sheets summarizing each video's content. For more resources or court forms from this library, visit www.mdcourts.gov/videos.