No. 25-59

Joseph Very Sherman, Individually, and as Biological Father, Next Friend, and Natural Guardian of H. M. S., J. C. S., and M. R. S., Minor Children, et al. v. Louis R. Lerner, former Judge, Circuit Court of Virginia, City of Norfolk

Lower Court: Virginia
Docketed: 2025-07-16
Status: Denied
Type: Paid
Tags: child-custody due-process fifth-amendment fourteenth-amendment liberty-interests parental-rights
Latest Conference: 2025-09-29
Question Presented (from Petition)

The trial judge entered an Order (App. 10a-21a) that deprived each of the three child Petitioners of their right to associate with their fit and loving father, Petitioner Sherman, and deprived him of his right to care for the children.

The Supreme Court of Virginia entered an Order (App. la-5a) that found, inter alia, the trial court Order (App. 10a-21a) did not violate procedural due process by taking evidence from one parent and not the other before issuing a child custody order from the bench.

Do the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments require pre-deprivation due process before a court enters a child custody order that infringes fundamental liberty interests of both a fit parent and a minor child and severs the relationship between the child and fit parent?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Do the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments require pre-deprivation due process before a court enters a child custody order that infringes fundamental liberty interests of both a fit parent and a minor child and severs the relationship between the child and fit parent?

Docket Entries

2025-10-06
Petition DENIED.
2025-08-27
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/29/2025.
2025-07-14
Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due August 15, 2025)
2025-05-05
Application (24A1050) granted by The Chief Justice extending the time to file until July 12, 2025.
2025-04-28
Application (24A1050) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from May 13, 2025 to July 12, 2025, submitted to The Chief Justice.

Attorneys

H.M.S., J.C.S., and M.R.S., Minor Children, each individually, by their biological father, next friend, and natural guardian, Joseph Very Sherman, and Joseph Very Sherman, individually, and as father of H.M.S., J.C.S., and M.R.S., Minor Children
Jeremy Paul HopkinsCranfill Sumner, Petitioner