Troxel v. Granville, (2000), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States, citing a constitutional right of parents (14th Amendment) to rear their children, struck down a Washington state law that allowed any third party to petition state courts for child visitation rights over parental objections. The Troxel v. Granvill has affect all 50 states.
Grandparent visitation is a legal right which grandparents in some jurisdictions may have to have court-ordered contact (or visitation) with their grandchildren. In the United States all 50 states have a "grandparent visitation" statute that allows grandparents to ask a court to grant them the legal right to maintain ongoing contact with their grandchildren. State laws vary greatly and some states do not guarantee that the grandparents will be able to obtain a court order granting them visitation. The rationale behind these laws is that sometimes, especially with the death of a parent or in a family that has undergone divorce, the children may not have the opportunity to have contact with the non-custodial parent and his relatives, thus fostering continued familial bonds. Those opposing this view say that court-ordered grandparent visitation infringes upon the fundamental right of a fit parent to raise their child in the manner they see fit (including the right to decide whom the child will associate with).
In the Troxel v. Granvill case and the different states a "fit parent" is not defined. Let's make our government be responsible in the protection of these children. No parent who has a criminal record of drugs, or domestic violence, or any other violent crimes should not have parental rights (child custody) of any child. For the best interest of those children, the law should "define a fit parent." A fit parent should not have a criminal record or even be charged with such violations, whether they were convicted or not. If a fit parent is defined maybe more Grandparent rights would be considered in our court systems. Please sign this petition for the protection of our children, who has no say in the matter!
