After his arrest for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, my (now) ex-husband changed my mailing address on USPS.com and received all my mail at his new address. He also used my debit and credit cards. He shut off water in the house. He had also stolen the business -- my only source of income. After I relocated, he continued to open credit cards in my name. He went to extreme lengths during the divorce case to find out where I lived.
Protecting my address
I was accepted in Maryland's Address Confidentiality Program (see my blog for more: Maryland's Address Confidentiality Program). I was afraid that if he ever got that address, he would simply change it on USPS.com. This became an even bigger issue when he was awarded a huge judgment against me. I contacted the coordinator of the Maryland ACP. She realized it was an issue that could affect ALL participants. Ogre isn't the only manipulative abuser out there, after all. Any one of them could come up with the same "bright idea" and do the same. If the PO Box was changed for one participant, would it affect the mail for all participants using the same PO Box?
She reached out to the US Postmaster's Office and a wonderful woman there was able to make a change: the PO Box address used for the Maryland ACP can NOT be changed unless a signed letter by the Maryland Secretary of State accompanies the request. Finally, I felt that my address with the ACP was truly safe.
A letter to the appellate court
After finding the Sacharow case, I noticed that there was an amicus curiae involved. Realizing it was a long shot, I asked Maryland if they would consider becoming an amicus curiae in my case. They wrote a fantastic letter to the appellate court, instead. I tried to include their letter in my brief, but his assrat lawyer objected.
Maryland files as amicus curiae
I went back to Maryland and they filed as an amicus curiae. It was, unfortunately, stricken. Apparently, the attorney they used (a guy in the attorney general's office) was licensed in FL, but not eligible to practice. This was discouraging. Apparently, they have filed again -- this time with an attorney who *is* eligible to practice in FL. I'm not sure that the appellate court will allow it, as this is now procedurally late. (See my update below.)
However, I cannot quite get over the fact that me, a nobody, has somehow convinced Maryland to try to help. They are THE only body or agency that have helped at all. Many people have been surprised. It's not typical that a state does get involved. But this is a landmark case.
Update
Maryland has indeed filed again, and their petition to become and Amicus Curiae in support of my position was granted by the appellate court on January 11, 2013. Their brief was filed the same day. I received a copy of it recently and I am absolutely blown away by their exceptional efforts. Maryland's Amicus Curiae Brief
