Fukinitupagain Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 As the title suggests, I witnessed or was involved in 2 incidents today in court in Davidson CO., NC that made me give up, finally after a number of incidents through-out the past couple of years, on our US judicial system. So let me set this up; I was called into Domestic Court today as a witness because my neighbor & his girl broke up over 9 months ago (August of ’08) because my neighbor, Brent, saw his at-the-time girlfriend, Jennifer, kiss another guy one night out at a bar. Brent broke it off with her & moved out (hence why he is my neighbor now), but because he didn’t have anywhere to put his motorcycle she allowed him to keep it in her garage (he paid like $40 or $50 a month for a sort of rent to her) as well as leaving his TV there because she didn’t have a nice one for the livingroom & he also left some of his clothes (some t-shirts & what not). On April 1st Brent went by to get his bike as well as the other objects because he has bought a house & is ready to start moving some things in, so she said fine & went out to run a couple of errands. The next day Brent was served court papers stating that Jennifer put out a restraining order on him & he had to appear in court on April 8th. In the order she claimed that at the gym that he works at & that she still attends, he “made a scene” one day in front of everyone trying to embarrass her. She also stated that he was/is a Marine trained sniper & is proficient (my words not hers) at surveillance & counter intelligence, as well as claiming that he was mentally unstable due to being shot in Iraq & suffering from PTSD & she claims that he tried to commit suicide (the event that I am witness to). So Brent, myself, a man named Mike (the manager of the gym & a witness to the event at the gym) & a man named Jay (a character witness) showed up for court. To start off with we are the only ones in shirts & ties, the rest of these yahoos were in like t-shirts & jeans & we sit there from 9:30am to 3pm & listen to 12 cases before we get to hear his case. Jennifer admitted that Brent was the one who broke up with her & that yes she had kissed another man during their relationship, that Brent was nothing but nice & friendly during the previous 9 months that they have been broken up, that he was friendly the day that he took his items back (April 1st) & that Brent has never threatened her or physically harmed her or even tried to, in anyway. She told all of this to the judge but with her cleavage showing & batting her eyes she told the court that because she’s a young female living alone & he’s a pretty big guy & is a trained Marine sniper that she doesn’t feel safe & is scared. Brent asked her why she feels scared all of a sudden after them being broken up for 9 months & she couldn’t give him an answer. Needless to say the judge granted the restraining order & put it into effect for a year. This was after watching the judge dismiss case after case, all morning long, of couples & family members that have beat the hell out of each other or their children, even with picture evidence & what not because he said that it was a lot of “hear-say” & he didn’t know who was “telling the truth.” My thing is this, what made the judge think that Brent was enough of a threat to go a head & grant the restraining order based on Jennifer’s feelings but to not go ahead in the other cases in which people had claimed to have been struck/beaten/raped, which are events that are far more worse than her feelings & his military training? What a shady law/judicial system this is, in that someone can basically say that their feelings are being hurt & take out a restraining order on another without much, if any, just cause. The last time I checked our feelings are not cover in neither the US Constitution nor the Bill of Rights. This was the 1st breakdown for me. Lets continue, shall we?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fukinitupagain Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 The 2nd issue is this, like I stated before the 4 of us were the only males in the courtroom, other than the judge & a couple of lawyers, that looked halfway respectable & so far in the day Brent had the least sever case, but when Mike, the 1st witness, went to go up on the stand both of the Sheriffs stood up & one walked to where the judge was & the other Sheriff went to stand beside Mike while he was sworn in & then walked him to the witness stand. In the previous 12 cases before Brent’s the 2 deputies never moved to the judge nor escorted the witnesses to the stand, so why start now. They did the same for me next as well as Jay. Also when all of the other cases were over the people involved just got up & walked out & the judge just went on to the next case, but when Brent’s was over one of the Sheriffs called Brent over & told him he needed to escort him out of the courtroom, which OK, I understand, because a restringing order had just been put through & they want to make sure nothing happens there in the courthouse between the 2 involved. Ah, but wait this is when it gets interesting. After sitting there for about 30-40 seconds I looked over at the other 2 guys & said “well I guess we’re done here lets go.” We stood up & started to leave quietly but as we did the other Sheriff that was left got on his walky & said something to the effect of (this is not the exact words)“This is unit 12 we have a 416 with 3 Caucasian males leaving & need backup for an escort,” then he said, “Wait guys you can’t leave yet.” To which I replied “Excuse me?” The Sheriff informed me “You are not allowed to leave the courtroom yet” And then I rebuttalled “I am a free, United States citizen. I haven’t been charged with anything here & am not guilty of anything. I’m leaving this courtroom.” Mind you I was a bit unhappy already, because I had just watched what I thought was a BS decision in a joke of a court case. As the Sheriff was moving towards me & began to reach for his tazer he said “No son you’re not leaving.” Before I could reply “*my "vocabulary" is so small* YOU!” & give the court the finger, the other 2 guys put their arms around my shoulders & sat me down. After about 4 or 5 minutes we were allowed to leave the courtroom. Looking back I’m glad they got me before I could lose my cool, but what was the reason that the 3 of us, free men (supposedly), who had not been tried in court nor had we done anything wrong, be treated like some sort of security threat? Was it because Brent & Jay were Marines & Mike had been in the Army (which all came up at during the case for some reason) & I guess because I was with them it was assumed that I was ex-military? Or was it because Jennifer was the pretty helpless young woman & we were the big evil men that would try & do something to her as soon as we left the courtroom? And lastly, as I was driving away after everything was over, I thought “What a shame it is that Brent fought & was shot for a system (law-enforcement/government/judicial) that is as inept as this one.” I know that “it’s better than most” but that doesn’t make it great. It still sucks a big one most of the time… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilverPath Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Thats the sad truth unfortunately.... A women can say whatever she feels like and get away with it in this country. I'm with you on the Court system as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beavis0076 Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Dam... thats a bunch of BS! I have been in court alot myself and have seen the system not work, or be willing to take $$$ and let justice slide..... I like this "I know that “it’s better than most” but that doesn’t make it great. It still sucks a big one most of the time…" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vengeful Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Must be NC. The NY judicial system worked pretty darn well for me, when I had to get a restraining order against my psycho-B*tch ex-G/F AND her father. They would keep showing up at my house, waiting in the parking lot... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slick Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) wow, that sucks ass. that is really sh!tty bunk deal. hopefully she won't try something stupid as she works out at his place of employment. Edited April 9, 2009 by Slick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
94extreme Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 In the previous 12 cases before Brent’s the 2 deputies never moved to the judge nor escorted the witnesses to the stand, so why start now lol.. you said you were the only 4 suits.. not sure where this county is but i bet it's rural... you were out of their regular element. been there done that. but they weren't threatened by me.. i felt the opposite.. but with a bit of caution.. i think the prevailing thought we were "connected", if you know what i mean. lol the part where you were detained for no apparent reason would have set me off majorly.. wtf????!!!! i'd at the least, file a complaint. Thats the sad truth unfortunately.... A women can say whatever she feels like and get away with it in this country. I'm with you on the Court system as well my ex lied and then admitted to so to the court and the judge just ignored it like it never happened. he bought ALL her lies, hook, line and sinker. not even a question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Pickles Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 The legal system is fundamentally flawed and broken. Enough said, I'm not going down this path again. The only thing that beats a woman against a man in a domestic situation is anyone with $$$ vs anyone. I've seen some pretty fabulous BS in my days too, helping my MOTHER along with her divorce situation with her ex + $$$. A-freaking-mazing. Corrupt, jaded... and CORRUPT are the only words that fit the US legal system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beastpath Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 file a complaint about the sheriff detaining you. could also go to the media and embarrass them for doing that too. and your friend should appeal the restraining order if he can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedPath88 Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I will not go into detail or you will all have a LOT of reading to do But what I can say is that getting a restraining order against my ex/sons mother was simple given that I provided pictures for proof (for those who do not know, I am a single father with full custody of my twin boys). The Commissioner had a rep and had already proven multiple times to me that he was unbiased and extremely fair in overseeing and ruling his cases. He revoked all contact and all rights of hers until the case was brought before the bench . However when the first court date arrived he was off for day and another commissioner was seated, and he heavily favored the women in seemingly every case. AS I sat there for a couple hours watching the cases come and go, I just thought to myself "this is messed up and I am screwed". Well, he reinstated everything, with the only condition being visitations had to be supervised. A second court date was set and this time the original commissioner was back on the bench, and he was pissed and made no attempt to pretend otherwise. He was pissed that the revoked visitations and other restrictions he placed on her had been lifted. ...ok stopping there before "I" get pissed lol Anyway, the point here is that it very well may have been that one commissioner/judge/whatever. It sucks yes, but don't let it discourage you from the legal system. It has it's flaws just like anything else, but that don't mean that it does not have positive aspects either Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fukinitupagain Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 hopefully she won't try something stupid as she works out at his place of employment. She has already been banned from that gym. Mike, the manager, said that she has to workout at the other gyms but can not come into that one because that's Brent's place of employment & just a place where she works-out. you said you were the only 4 suits.. not sure where this county is but i bet it's rural... You are absloutely correct. No town with a population over like 20,000 or something. There was a case before Brent's that the lady & her boyfriend or whatever were argueing about the night he got drunk & ran his pick-up into the double-wdie & moved it off of it's foundation. Classic. I couldn't make up better stories than was being told today. The next time I have a day off during the week, I'm going back for sh!ts & giggles. your friend should appeal the restraining order if he can. He is. He went directly to speack with 2 different lawyers as soon as court was done. He's actually not really my friend, just more of an aquantance or neighbor. Really nice guy though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 Must be NC. The NY judicial system worked pretty darn well for me, when I had to get a restraining order against my psycho-B*tch ex-G/F AND her father. They would keep showing up at my house, waiting in the parking lot... The deal is she talked to someone and knew the exact things to say to get what she wanted although I do not know her intentions behind it except for to make his life a little more difficult. As bad as this seems any military personnel that has seen action in the middle east of lately is an outcast to society and no matter what they do are looked at as being trained killing machines. I grew up in Fayetteville and saw a lot of BS things happen like this. So if the judge has the perception that no he hasnt flipped his lid yet there is a chance that he might from the PTSD. I'm pretty good friends with a guy who was in GWI and GWII and I've seen him react to loud noises and he apologize b/c that is still the reaction all these years later. It really sucks b/c all of these men and women are serving us and putting their lives on the line daily but when they get back society is scared/ignorant and whatever it is that they are It's BS but I guarantee the judge rationalized with the key things "trained killing machine" (as a translation of sniper) which is ironic to me b/c what is the distance on the restraining order...if he was going to do something I think he could do it well outside of the range of the order...He see's big strong guy vs lil woman and automatically sides with her...it'll all work out for the best though...just sucks It could be worse tho...a guy here I know found out after her returned from deployment his wife of like 10 years had been running around with several guys and leaving the 2 kids at home to not see her for 3 or so days at the time (i think the kids are like 8 and 12 or something...he comes home finds all of this out and gets drunk one night and texts her don't come home tonight or i might just blow your brains out...well she calls the police the police call him and are asking him if he's got guns and what not and he's like yea they're in the safe you and they thought he was going to be suicidal and come out shooting them...I guess he walked outside in his boxers and a wife beater to discuss the message with the officers...he was instantly tackled and taken to the station...she then filed restraining orders and was granted without hearing anything from him b/c of that situation...the kids want nothing to do with her and only want to be with him b/c she neglects them but the system overlooks that...she kept him from seeing the kids for like 3 months and finally agreed that they could do a monitored visit to which she fabricated stories afterwards so he cant see them anymore now and the kids even told the courts she was lying...she wouldnt let anyone come and get any of his things until he finally appealed at the court and I guess she let their 3 dogs stay locked in the house and was just going like once a week to feed them and was staying at one of her boyfriends houses...he was able to go in and get certain items only and I guess there was dog @!*%/piss all over the house which is in his name but since she "lives" there he can't make her leave and yada yada blah blah blah...old dude made a simple mistake and its really messed up his life... I'm glad my text to my gf of 4 years after finding out she was cheating on me was nothing more than don't come home tonight b/c I think thats a bad idea for both of us and she didnt...the next day all of my @!*% was gone... Good luck to the buddy and hopefully this won't impact him too negatively Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vengeful Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 There was a case before Brent's that the lady & her boyfriend or whatever were argueing about the night he got drunk & ran his pick-up into the double-wdie & moved it off of it's foundation. Classic. I couldn't make up better stories than was being told today. The next time I have a day off during the week, I'm going back for sh!ts & giggles. Bring a video camera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 There was a case before Brent's that the lady & her boyfriend or whatever were argueing about the night he got drunk & ran his pick-up into the double-wdie & moved it off of it's foundation. Classic. I couldn't make up better stories than was being told today. The next time I have a day off during the week, I'm going back for sh!ts & giggles. I miss the south...&^%*ing rednecks you GOTTA love'm and I are one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavefromOZ Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 wow, that sucks ass. that is really sh!tty bunk deal. hopefully she won't try something stupid as she works out at his place of employment. I dont know the legal system over there, but surely she would be breaking the order if she goes to HIS place of employment, can he call the cops on her for provoking him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavefromOZ Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I am a single father with full custody of my twin boys Hats off to you sir, I know a lot of guys who would consider that to be a burden, or complain because their ex asks them to take their kids for an extra few days. I personally couldnt stand the thought of being away from my kids, luckily their mother and I are still together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fukinitupagain Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 I dont know the legal system over there, but surely she would be breaking the order if she goes to HIS place of employment, can he call the cops on her for provoking him? No. If she would show up he would have to leave (this was explained by the judge). She can call him or any of his family with no problem but if he has any contact (phone calls, emails, text, letters, etc) with her or any of her family or friends (which includes mutual friends) then he is in violation of the order. What a bunch of BS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unccpathfinder Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 (edited) (which includes mutual friends) he can call him or any of his family with no problem I had never heard of either of those...that's BS for sure...is he still active duty...if so the best thing may be to see if he could PCS just to get away from it Edited April 9, 2009 by unccpathfinder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fukinitupagain Posted April 9, 2009 Author Share Posted April 9, 2009 ...is he still active duty... No he was shot through his knees in Iraq like 18 months ago & because he has pins in them now & they don't bend to a certain degree he can't be cleared for active duty again. Good thing is he got his college degree before inlisting so he said now he's gonna go back with his GI bill & get his masters or doctorate degree (I think he said he's getting it in Phsycology). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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