Op-Eds
Carol Erskine
May 25, 2026
The Justice File is a platform for truth, accountability, and reform—focused on how the law affects vulnerable children. Founded by former Massachusetts Juvenile Court Judge Carol Erskine, a Top Ten Massachusetts lawyer and author of A Cruel Injustice, the site features analysis, trial commentary, and investigative reporting on child welfare, constitutional rights, and domestic violence. Drawing on 21 years on the bench, Judge Erskine exposes systemic failures and calls for justice through articles, media appearances, and legal commentary.
Sweet Harmony Montgomery should still be alive. Instead, her tragic death has left her half-brother Jamison—now adopted by two loving dads—grieving the sister he adored. Unaware of the public outrage surrounding her case, Jamison simply says, “I wish she wouldn’t have died.” When a Massachusetts court gave custody of Harmony to her violent father in New Hampshire, her fate was sealed. Even in death, officials and lawyers have worked to silence her story to protect their own failures.
Here is how you can help us get justice for Harmony. Four times Massachusetts Senate President Karen Spilka and House Speaker Ronald Mariano have blocked the Harmony Commission—a bill designed to examine the failures that put Harmony Montgomery in the hands of her killer.
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The CPCS Mission: "Defending the People of Massachusetts." Just not the children. Let’s hope the Inspector General will now review the CPCS Family and Child division. The Office of the Child Advocate criticized the CPCS agency for their failures in Harmony Montgomery's case and
The Inspector General's scathing report on the Massachusetts CPCS public defense bar couldn't be more accurate. As they always do, they deny, deny and deny. But I saw it myself for years and every word is true. More concerning is the Child and family
Mass. inspector general reports public defender system is 'broken'
The report said the system has long been in need of reform and that issues were not properly addressed after l...
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