Title: In re Michael B.

State: maryland

Issuer: Maryland Supreme Court

Document:

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF MARYLAND
                                           No. 52
                                      September Term, 1996
                 
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                                       IN RE: MICHAEL B.
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Bell, C.J.
Eldridge
Rodowsky
Chasanow
Karwacki
Raker
Wilner,
JJ.
___________________________________
PER CURIAM ORDER
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FILED:  April 7, 1997
*  
IN THE
*
COURT OF APPEALS
IN RE:  MICHAEL B.
* 
OF MARYLAND
*
No. 52
*
September Term, 1996
   PER CURIAM ORDER
On July 26, 1996, this Court, on its own motion, issued a writ
of certiorari to the Court of Special Appeals to address questions
related to whether a juvenile court has authority to compel a non-
custodial parent to visit her off-spring and to order that party,
under penalty of contempt, to undergo counseling for the benefit of
the child.
Michael B., the minor child who is the subject of this case,
was removed from the custody of the appellant, Carline T., his
mother, on April 27, 1994.  For a period, the custody order
prohibited her visitation with Michael B.  Subsequently, however,
having conducted a review hearing on October 12, 1994, the court
modified the order to permit such visitation.  Thereafter, at a
subsequent review hearing, held on November 1, 1995, the appellant
was ordered, over her objection, to undergo counseling and to visit
with Michael B., the court having determined that both were in the
best interest of the child.  Failure to comply with the counseling
order, the court told her, would subject her to being held in
contempt.
After this court granted certiorari, but before the appellee
Montgomery County Department of Social Services filed its brief and
prior to oral argument in this Court, the juvenile court entered an
ORDER FOR CINA CLOSURE.  By that order, the court rescinded its
jurisdiction over Michael B.
That order also rendered this case moot, since, at this time,
"there is no longer an existing controversy between the parties, so
that there is no longer any effective remedy which the court can
provide."  Attorney Gen. v. A.A. Co. School Bus, 286 Md. 324, 327,
407 A.2d 749, 752 (1979).  Moreover, although the issues for which
we granted certiorari involve matters of public concern, in this
case, "there is no imperative or manifest urgency to establish a
rule of future conduct."  Id. at 328, 407 A.2d at 752-53.
NOW, THEREFORE, it is this _____ day of April, 1997,
ORDERED, by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, that the
judgment of the District Court of Maryland sitting in Montgomery
County as Juvenile Court be, and it is hereby, vacated.  See Balt.
v. Comm. On Legislative Invest., 341 Md. 23, 25, 668 A.2d 33, 34
(1995); A.A. Co. School Bus, supra, 286 Md. at 330, 407 A.2d at
753.  See also Maryland Rule 8-602(a)(10).  Costs in the District
Court and in this Court to be paid by the appellee.
_____________________________
     Chief Judge