Onerous Protection Orders
Over recent days I have been involved as expert witness in an interesting District Court trial by jury. My client has given me permission to report on it and I will avoid using names and identifying details.
The man was accused on two counts of breaching a protection order, and the judge ended up offering a deal in which if he pleaded guilty and met several conditions then she would discharge him without conviction. She said several things of likely interest to this group.
Firstly, in questioning the man during the process of reaching the decision to discharge him, the judge wanted him to refrain from various activities that might extend the conflict with his ex wife that had led to the protection order and the present charges. The judge noted that the man had been supported in Court by representatives of fathers’ groups, and asked him if he intended to have any ongoing contact with groups like those who had been protesting against the Family Court. I thought it significant that a judge even in the District Court was acutely aware of the protests as well as the general movement and saw them as a serious influence.
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