A child separated from his father. A case that now spans multiple courts. A legal fight raising serious questions.
What If the System Fails the Very People It’s Supposed to Protect?
For more than a decade, Jeffrey Reichert—a father, veteran, and attorney—has been fighting to remain in his son’s life.
What began as a custody case in Maryland has evolved into a complex legal battle involving multiple proceedings, multiple courts, and federal civil rights claims.
Despite years of involvement in his son’s life, Reichert lost custody under circumstances that now form the basis of ongoing litigation, including claims related to:
- Due process violations
- Denial of access to the courts
- Disability discrimination under federal law
Today, this case is no longer just about custody.
It is about whether a parent can be effectively excluded from the legal process—and what happens when that process fails to correct itself.
Why This Case Matters
This case raises broader questions that extend beyond a single family:
- Can decisions affecting parental rights occur without full evidentiary hearings?
- What happens when multiple courts handle overlapping disputes?
- How are disability accommodations handled in high-conflict cases?
- What safeguards exist when procedural decisions accumulate over time?
These are not abstract questions.
They are central to ongoing legal claims now being litigated in federal court.
What You’ll Find Here
This site is designed to make the case accessible, verifiable, and transparent.
- A complete timeline across all proceedings
- Court filings and primary documents
- Breakdowns of key legal issues
- Analysis connecting events across multiple cases
- Ongoing updates as litigation continues
Every section is built around documents, filings, and recorded proceedings wherever possible.
A Case Still Unfolding
This is not a closed story.
Litigation is active.
New filings continue.
Additional records are being obtained through public information requests.
At Its Core
At its core, this case is about:
- A father and a son
- A system handling overlapping, high-stakes disputes
- And whether access to justice was fully preserved
Explore the Case
🔎 What Happened
📁 Filings & Evidence
🕒 Timeline
⚖️ Key Issues
📂 Cases
Latest Analysis & Updates
The 90-Day Order: How an Unprecedented Custody Decision Became Invisible Law
The article analyzes the unreported appellate opinions in the case of Reichert v. Hornbeck, focusing on a 2022 ruling by Judge Alison L. Asti that stripped Jeffrey Reichert of all contact with his son for 90 days. It critiques the lack of precedent and transparency in family law, particularly regarding parental alienation disputes, which complicates…
The Standard Nobody Published: Maryland’s Amended Protective Order Law, Eight Years Without a Reported Case
The article examines unreported Maryland appellate decisions in the case of Reichert v. Hornbeck, highlighting a significant legal standard shift regarding protective orders made in 2014. Despite thousands of protective orders issued, there was no public guidance on the amended standard for eight years, raising concerns about transparency and the implications for individuals involved in…
Five Appeals, No Precedent: How One of Maryland’s Most Litigated Custody Cases Disappeared Into the Shadows
In a notable Maryland custody case, Reichert v. Hornbeck, the Court of Special Appeals issued a reported opinion in 2013, but following appeals up to 2026 produced five unreported opinions. These opinions addressed critical family law issues yet remain unpublished, highlighting a systemic problem in how family law precedents are recognized in Maryland.
Update: Public Records Detail 2018 DUI Arrest and Raise New Questions About Credibility
New reporting based on public records and sworn deposition testimony has added significant detail to the March 6, 2018 arrest of Sarah Hornbeck in Charles County, Maryland. Records obtained through Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) requests—including CAD dispatch logs, police incident reports, and use-of-force documentation—show that the incident involved erratic driving, a crash, suspected drug-and-alcohol…
She Slipped the Cuffs, Fought Two Officers, Drove Impaired — Then Walked Away Clean. Years Later, Under Oath, She Said She Didn’t Remember.
A deposition transcript reveals Sarah Hornbeck’s admissions of a 2018 DUI arrest and guilty plea, contradicting her earlier denials. The incident involved erratic driving, police confrontation, and alleged probation failures. Following the event, Hornbeck faced ongoing custody disputes and protective orders, raising concerns about her parental fitness and legal credibility.
