Remember when kids rode their bikes around the neighborhood and stayed outside until the streetlights came on? What happened to THAT childhood?

In Episode 8 of Country Justice Podcast, former West Virginia Family Court Judge Lera VanMeter and co-host Mike "Finney" Finney are taking a trip down memory lane while tackling a question parents are still debating today: Are we protecting our children, or are we becoming too overprotective?

From free-range parenting and childhood independence to child neglect laws, Lera and Finney discuss how parenting has changed and where family courts may draw the line.

How old should a child be before staying home alone? Can kids walk to the park without supervision? What about babysitting younger siblings?

They're also talking about how smartphones and social media have changed childhood, why parenting disagreements can become custody disputes, and whether kids today are missing out on the freedom previous generations enjoyed.

And there's a little something extra this week! You'll officially meet the voice behind the scenes, our producer Cassidy.

Now we want to hear from YOU! How old were you when your parents let you stay home alone? And would you give your own kids that same freedom today?

Join the conversation and follow Country Justice Podcast for more discussions about family court, child custody, parenting, and the questions families are asking.

General educational information only. Not legal advice. Laws regarding child supervision and neglect vary by state.

Do grandparents have the legal right to see their grandchildren? Can parents refuse visitation? And when can grandparents actually take a custody or visitation dispute to family court?

After receiving so many questions from our followers about grandparents' rights, we're dedicating this episode of Country Justice Podcast to breaking down what the law actually says.

Former West Virginia Family Court Judge and practicing attorney Lera VanMeter joins Mike "Finney" Finney to discuss grandparents' visitation rights, parental rights, and when grandparents may be able to petition the court for time with their grandchildren.

With a focus on West Virginia grandparents' rights laws, Lera and Finney explore the difficult situations families face when relationships break down, parents and grandparents disagree, or a grandparent is suddenly cut off from a grandchild's life.

Does being a grandparent automatically give you legal rights? What does a judge consider when deciding whether grandparents should have visitation? And how much say do parents have in who gets to see their children?

These are emotional questions, and the legal answers can be more complicated than people expect.

Whether you're a grandparent trying to maintain a relationship with your grandchildren or a parent wanting to understand your rights, this episode offers a former family court judge's perspective on a subject affecting families across the country.

🎙️ Have a question for Judge Lera? Follow Country Justice Podcast on social media and submit your questions for our Ask Judge Lera series, where we're also exploring grandparents' rights in different states.

Country Justice Podcast provides general legal education, not legal advice. Grandparents' rights laws vary by state.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠… 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐇𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧! | 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭

What's happening to Charleston, West Virginia? From the newly renamed Civic Center to the uncertain future of Town Center Mall, Judge Lera VanMeter and Mike “Finney” Finney have a few things to say about the changes happening in the Mountain State.

This week on Country Justice, we're stepping away from the courtroom for a little hometown conversation, West Virginia news, and plenty of opinions.

The Charleston Civic Center has a new name, the Town Center Mall is facing an uncertain future, and the historic Municipal Auditorium is still waiting on its next chapter. Are these changes helping Charleston move forward, or are we losing pieces of the city we grew up loving?

Lera and Finney also talk about plans for a new Kanawha County animal shelter, the excitement of Bridge Day at the New River Gorge, and why complaining on Facebook isn't quite the same as getting involved in your community.

Plus, a few laughs about Finney's wardrobe, memories of Charleston's glory days, and a heartfelt tribute to someone special.

𝐈𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞:

• The Charleston Civic Center's new Vandalia Health naming deal
• What's next for Charleston Town Center Mall?
• The future of the Municipal Auditorium
• Plans for a new Kanawha County animal shelter
• Why community involvement matters in West Virginia
• Bridge Day, BASE jumping, and New River Gorge stories

Whether you're a Charleston local, a West Virginia native living elsewhere, or someone who loves a good hometown debate, this one's for you.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰?

Listen to Country Justice Podcast with former West Virginia family court judge Lera VanMeter and Mike Finney. Follow the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and your favorite podcast platform for new episodes, legal conversations, and stories from the Mountain State.

Episode 4 of Country Justice is all about child custody, parenting time, and what happens when parents can’t agree. Judge Lera and Finney break down some of the biggest questions people have about custody, including whether mothers automatically get custody, whether a child can decide where they want to live, whether paying child support gives a parent more rights, and what Family Court actually looks at when deciding how parenting time should be divided.

This episode takes a closer look at the myths, misunderstandings, and real questions that come up when families are trying to figure out custody and co-parenting through the court system.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Wait... THAT'S illegal?! 😂⚖️

We're taking a little break from the usual Family Court conversations on Country Justice, and this time, Judge Lera and Finney are diving into some of the strangest, funniest, and most downright ridiculous laws from across the United States.

From donkeys sleeping in bathtubs and pickles that apparently need to bounce, to bear wrestling, questionable footwear choices, and West Virginia's relationship with a few choice words, Finney is putting Lera's legal knowledge to the test.

The rules are simple: Finney reads a strange law with one word missing, and Lera has to guess what it is. What follows is plenty of laughter, a few questionable guesses, some classic Andy Griffith references, and the kind of off-topic conversations that only these two could turn into a podcast episode.

And yes, there's an ongoing disagreement about whether Finney needs a little more sparkle in his wardrobe.

Now we want to hear from YOU! What's the weirdest law you've ever heard of in your home state? Send us your favorites because we're already thinking about Ridiculous Laws: Part Two!

Join former West Virginia Family Court Judge Lera VanMeter and her former bailiff, Mike Finney, for a lighter side of Country Justice.

New episodes every Wednesday at 10 AM ET, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Follow Country Justice on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for more conversations with Judge Lera and Finney.

Disclaimer: This episode is intended for entertainment and general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and their enforceability may vary, and some commonly circulated unusual laws may be outdated or inaccurately described.

Episode 3: Most Memorable Court Cases

Some cases stick with you long after the courtroom clears out.

In Episode 3 of Country Justice, Lera and Finney look back at some of the most memorable cases and courtroom moments they’ve seen over the years. Some were serious, some were strange, some were funny, and a few were so unexpected they still make them stop and say, wait… that really happened?

This episode gives you a little more of the storytelling side of Country Justice, with Lera and Finney sharing the moments that stood out, the situations they still remember, and the kinds of cases you definitely don’t forget.

If you like courtroom stories, behind-the-scenes perspective, and hearing the less-serious side of Lera and Finney, this one’s for you.

New episodes of the Country Justice Podcast drop every Wednesday at 10 AM wherever you listen to podcasts.

Disclaimer: General educational and entertainment purposes only. Identifying details are omitted.

Walking into a courtroom for the first time can feel like everyone knows exactly what’s happening except you. In Episode 2 of Country Justice, Lera and Finney break down who’s who in the courtroom, what each person actually does, and a few things people tend to get very wrong.

From figuring out who you should actually be talking to, to understanding why everyone seems to have a job you didn’t know existed, this episode is basically your courtroom cheat sheet. Lera brings the former-judge perspective, Finney brings the questions, and somewhere along the way we establish that walking up to the nearest person in a suit and telling them your entire life story probably isn’t the best strategy.

If you’ve never been to court before, start here. And if you have… you may finally learn who everybody was.

Court is now in session.

Disclaimer: For general educational and entertainment purposes only. This podcast is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.