U. S. Justice Department, defense firms and New York Attorney General seek extensions to file briefs in parenting rights case being heard in federal appeals court in New York City.
The U.S. Justice Department has weighed in on the appeal brought by constitutional rights advocate Leon Koziol in New York City. It is representing Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services in Washington D.C. who was named as a defendant. The case seeks to promote shared parenting through a precedent setting decision which strikes down a scheme of federal and state laws that discriminate against fathers and non-custodial mothers in divorce, custody and support proceedings.
The complete brief was released publicly on this site, www.leonkoziol.com, on September 22, 2011, shortly after its filing. It addresses a full range of parenting rights routinely infringed in our state domestic relations courts. Like the equal rights vindicated by Brown v Board of Education, but unlike the fundamental rights pursued in Roe v Wade, this appeal is designed to promote family values in separated parental settings. If successful, it will provide a weapon for parents everywhere to resist draconian support orders and abusive court processes.
Significantly, U.S. attorneys have joined the New York Attorney General and law firms representing other defendants in seeking extensions to file their response briefs into December, 2011, or the maximum period allowed by law. Mr. Koziol has opposed those requests on grounds that he was able to complete his own brief in less than one week while filing motions, rule statements, record and appendix in a lesser period of time without office staff or support. Evidently this case, years in the works, is proving to have merit or cause for concern.
Unfortunately, as related in our last post, the financial burden inflicted by such delays is having devastating impacts upon Leon’s continuing ability to maintain this litigation. Simply put, it is a case which seeks a proper remedy in lieu of a constitutional amendment in the state legislatures and Congress that could take decades to produce. To our knowledge, only the State of Louisiana has endorsed such an amendment. On the positive side, the current briefing delay opens the door for persons or groups to join the case or provide their input on the arguments.
For our regular followers, input can be made by e-mail at: leonkozioljd@gmail.com. However you must first read and digest the brief referenced in our last post. In the coming weeks, you will be given the opportunity for virtual participation in our profound litigation by keyboard from your very own homes. Updates on this case and others being pursued by Mr. Koziol will follow. The referenced requests by government attorneys and defense firms may be viewed directly through the links found on our site. In the meantime, we would like to thank our early donors as we continue to urge your support behind this vital cause. Even if you are not currently impacted, the damage caused by these socialist welfare laws is affecting the health, safety, productivity, education and family heritage of an entire nation. Kindly pass this on.
As stated in our previous blog post, resources have dwindled to nothing in connection with our current cases. We are therefore seeking contributions from all concerned. Such cases would cost individual litigants or groups hundreds of thousands in competent fees and litigation expense. It is therefore crucial for all of our supporters to join us in this effort. A pay pal account has been set up to accept your donation. No matter how great or small it may be, every amount helps. Please consider this using the method provided below or by mail to: Parenting Rights Institute; 1518 Genesee Street; Utica, New York 13502. Leon can be reached directly at (315) 796-4000. Networking and media connections are also greatly needed. Once again, we would like to thank all of you for your help.