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Constitutional Law Keyed to Maggs
M.L.B. v. S.L.J.
Citation:
519 U.S. 102 (1996)Facts
Petitioenr M.L.B. and respondents S.L.J are the unmarried biological mother and father of two children. After S.L.J married respondent J.P.J, they sued in Mississippi court seeking to terminate the parental rights of M.L.B and to gain court approval for adoption of the children by their stepmother, J.P.J. The judge terminated all parental rights of the natural mother and approved the adoption. Mississippi grants civil litigants a right to appeal, but conditions that right on prepayment of costs. Unable to pay, M.L.B. sought leave to appeal. The Supreme Court denied her application.
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