Last year a new family moved in across the street from us. A mother and 2 girls ages 7 & 10. Sitting on the porch at night or getting ready for school in the am there was screaming and yelling at each other. The mom yelling at the girls. to get ready for school, or to do homework and get ready for bed at night. This went on every morning and night. It wasn't just yelling it was screaming like she was being murdered or stabbed a million times. Getting sick of hearing this going on I called the police and filed a report. The father obtained the report as he is trying to get custody of the girls and get them out of that environment. His lawyer called me and asked if they would be able to see the log i had of all this yelling. I had written stuff that was said and the dates.I did not know I would be asked to go to court on his behalf.What are my legal rights? Do I have to go to court? The lawyer said if i did not cooperate they would supeona me and i would go to court unwillingly.
2006-08-27 16:20:56 · 14 answers · asked by jansbma 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
If they supeona you, you have to go or risk being charged with contempt of court.
Before you pass judgement on the mother, try to remember if the father was supporting her in her efforts to get the kids to go to school, do their homework, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Was he just sitting around watching TV, gone all the time, or worse. It can be frustrating to be forced into being a single parent while you're married and expect help from your partner.
Did the father yell at and belittle the mother in front of the kids causing the kids not to respect her or pay attention to her?
The father may just be trying to avoid paying child support.
I suggest this because, apparently, the police didn't think that the situation meritted getting family services involved and maybe removing the kids from the home. A neglectful and abusive husband can be much worse for kids than a frustrated mother.
The kids are the most important and helpless in these situations. Consider what you are going to say or testify to for their benefit.
2006-08-27 16:38:22 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Something made you call the police. Was it the screaming itself that was annoyingly loud or was it the fact that this woman was verbally and emotionally abusing her children? I think you have to ask yourself that because it sounds like this woman may have some problems and it could affect these children in a profound way if something isn't done. It sounds like their father really wants them and he probably knows what goes on from other sources-like his children. Morally I think you should testify for the children's sake. You could have an influence on what happens. the courts just want to know the facts, like how often you heard the screaming, how loud, if you noticed anything else out of the ordinary, if you ever noticed any bruises, any other odd behavior on the mother's part, etc. They can subpoena you and you would be in contempt if you don't go. Gather strength and do this for someone else, you could be saving them years of anguish. Good luck and I hope you make the right decision. (Was married to a lawyer, and I'm a paralegal).
2006-08-27 23:28:21 · answer #2 · answered by sweetpea 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
They will supeona you and then you will have to go.
It's better to go on your own terms rather than being a 'hostile witness'. Dad's attorney won't be hard on you, but mom's will be vicious. Just tell the truth. Why did you keep a log? Gut feeling? Sick of the screaming? Worried about the kids?
Just tell what you heard and saw. Sure she's gonna be pissed, but maybe she should quit yelling at her kids so damn often in public?
2006-08-27 23:37:19 · answer #3 · answered by DJ 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If morally you decided to call the police, morally you need to testify. You don't need to embellish, you need to state the facts and what you have witnessed. Don't sissy out now, you may be doing those kids the favor that will prevent them from living in hell any longer. You obviously don't want that behavior to continue right? Put yourself in the shoes of the kids. I lived in proverbial hell for my entire childhood and no one helped. Plenty of people looked at my siblings and I with pity but no one helped. You could be the one person who did for those kids. If you make the mother angry....so what, she's always angry. Imagine yourself as a child in that environment.
2006-08-27 23:56:10 · answer #4 · answered by justme 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
if they have asked you to testify, then yuo have to, just cooperate and tell them what you heard and tell the truth about anything anyone may ask you and you'll be fine. Your information could help keep his kids safe. They dont belong in such a violent environment and you can save them from it by helping the father get them out of there. Good luck, and dont worry, they arent going to be hard on you, just ask for the logs and ask you to verify them and stuff.
2006-08-27 23:32:55 · answer #5 · answered by Fade__Out 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You don't mention your age. If you are a minor, I would not talk to any lawyer without an adult present.
If you are an adult, I think I would wait to see if I got a supeona.
2006-08-27 23:28:43 · answer #6 · answered by School Is Great 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
well you can always pled the 5th. but think about the kids. he would supeona you and will if he really needs you there. if you dont want to go then wait for the supeona. if you get a supeona then i would go no doubt.
2006-08-27 23:28:13 · answer #7 · answered by marynew8 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why would you keep a log on your neighbors if you don't want it made public. I hope you never move to my neighborhood. Are you more concerned with yourself or the safety of those children? Shame on you for even asking this question.
2006-08-27 23:25:19 · answer #8 · answered by Emm 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Be careful. Do not destroy the log or "lose" it. You could well find yourself in legal hot water if you do. You could ask to be deposed instead though her lawyer probably won't go along with that.
2006-08-27 23:26:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You win by going to court. She will keep kids but be very quiet or she will lose kids and not have anything to scream about. Win win for you.
2006-08-28 00:37:52 · answer #10 · answered by frankie59 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋