Your answer to each essay question should be between 250-300 words. It is suggested you write or print out the essay questions for handy reference as you develop your responses.

1.            As science marches forward, reproductive cloning of humans will likely become a reality. It has already been accomplished with dogs, cats, cows and monkeys. This means that one day a person will be able to have a child with his/her own cells. What do you think some of the family law issues will be, as this form of alternative reproduction becomes a reality?  

2.            Mediation is seen as a relatively successful alternative to adversarial court proceedings when determining issues involving divorce, custody, support and property distribution. But a question remains as to whether mediation or any other form of alternative dispute resolution is appropriate in stances of alleged child abuse and neglect? Would a non-adversarial alternative dispute resolution method be more effective in accomplishing the goals of child abuse and neglect proceedings? Should the children themselves be involved?

3.            There is a movement around the country to create “integrated” courts. In these courts, one judge would consider all matters involving one family so that a single decision-maker would understand all of the issues facing the parents and children, including delinquency, domestic violence, abuse and neglect, divorce, custody, support, and so on. What are the potential problems with this system and do they outweigh the benefits?

                  References:

Oliphant, R, & Ver Steegh, N (2013). Family Law, 4^th Edition. New York: Aspen ISBN: 978-1-4548-1552-5

Feld, B (2009) Juvenile Justice Adminstration in a Nutshell, 2^nd Edition. St paul: Thomson West.                                        

ISBN: 978-0-314-18138