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Government and law major Emily Francis ’03 (Hummelstown, Pa.) is conducting a summer-long research project to determine whether Southern juvenile courts are granting young pregnant women their full constitutional rights.
As an EXCEL Scholar, Francis is assisting Helena Silverstein, associate professor of government and law, in researching what is known as the judicial bypass option.
“In states that require minors to get their parents’ permission to have abortions, the courts must offer youths the option of avoiding parental involvement by obtaining a judge’s permission,” Silverstein explains. “We’re trying to determine the extent to which the courts are prepared to handle this in a manner consistent with the Constitution. We want to see how the law written on the books is translated into practice.”
Francis’ work involves making inquiries at state children’s services departments, which designate court advocates who act as liaisons between minors seeking abortions without parental consent and the juvenile courts.
“I’m also compiling data that Professor Silverstein has gathered on Alabama,” says Francis. “I read through numerous appeals and Supreme Court decisions dealing with minors’ petitions to overturn trial courts’ decisions denying a bypass.”
Silverstein’s enthusiasm and curiosity makes for a great learning environment, Francis says.
“It’s been a pleasure working with Professor Silverstein. I’ve learned so much, and I’m grateful for the opportunity Lafayette provides through the EXCEL program. The high level of student-professor interaction is one of the greatest rewards I’ve received from my experience at Lafayette,” she says.
Likewise, Silverstein describes Francis as “very helpful, insightful, and interested in the work.” She notes that Francis is gaining valuable experience in the field of academic research by conceptualizing and gathering data. She will write and hopefully publish her findings. She is also getting an education in the reality of law as it is practiced.
A graduate of Hershey High School, Francis has served as an editorial assistant for Ilan Peleg, Charles A. Dana Professor of Government and Law. She is a campus tour guide and tutors prisoners at Northampton County Prison. The tutoring program is one of more than 25 programs of sustained voluntary service that Lafayette students conduct each year under the auspices of the Landis Community Outreach Center. Francis also is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
As an EXCEL Scholar, Emily Francis ’03 conducted a summer-long research project to determine whether Southern juvenile courts are granting young pregnant women their full constitutional rights with Helena Silverstein, associate professor.