Legal Commentary

Ahmad Doe

By Eugene Volokh

From Division of Youth and Family Services v. M.M.K (N.J. Super. Ct. April 19, 2010):

In these consolidated appeals [of a termination of parental rights], defendant M.M.K. is the biological father and defendant D.L. is the biological mother of A.R.K. (fictitiously, Ahmad), who is almost six years old.

I take it that Ahmad was the chosen name because the family is Muslim, a matter that was relevant to the opinion (it chronicles, among other things, the Division?s attempts to place Ahmad in a Muslim home); so it makes sense that the chosen pseudonym would be a common Muslim name. Still, it?s the first time I?ve noticed such a usage, so I thought I?d mention it.

Another possibly amusing wording item (in a case that, like most cases, is actually not that amusing on the substance): The appellate court mentioned that ?the [trial] court concluded that greater harm was likely to befall Ahmad ?by perpetrating any relationship with his natural mother??; I assume the trial court must have meant ?perpetuating any relationship,? though I can see why certain relationships, even with one?s mother, could be seen as being ?perpetrat[ed].?

Full post as published by The Volokh Conspiracy on April 19, 2010 (boomark / email).