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Have you had a GAL assigned? If not, when you do the appeal, ask for one. They will look at the evidence. During my divorce I was told the judges usually go with what the GAL reccommends. I found that to be true in my case.

I agree, there is something not right here. It's odd that his attorney was able to keep all that evidence out. I wouldn't doubt it if something were going on with the judge, his attorney or both. I agree with stronger something doesn't smell right and your case could be hitting close to home somehow for the judge.

I don't know how the appeal process works but you might ask your attorney about getting a different judge.

Don't have any experience with your question but I just wanted to send you strength and reassurance that you are doing the right thing on behalf of your kids! It blows my mind how his lawyer and the judge can turn their heads at really major concerns. Something doesn't seem right with the system. You are a good strong momma! I'm sorry this is happening to you!

I'm not an attorney, but have taken a civil litigation class, and we learned that appeals generally don't introduce any new testimony or evidence; instead the appeal judge looks at what was done in the lower court (transcripts, evidence, etc.) to see if there was a procedural or legal error made. (That could include the exclusion of xyz from consideration, I imagine, but again, I'm not a legal professional.) The appeal judge then tells the original judge to correct the mistake that was made (like "re-rule but with xyz in consideration"), called "remanding" it to the lower court.

Take your attorney's advice, NG. I can't see how an appeal would hurt you, but if the attorney really thinks it could help (especially if the judge is in some way corrupt ) it seems like it could really help. Your attorney knows your local court system better than anyone on the internet, and can also tell you what to expect from an appeal.

[This message edited by Amazonia at 11:10 AM, August 15th (Thursday)]

Nature_Girl,

{{{{ }}}}, {{{{ }}}} and {{{{ }}}}

Please know that you stay in my prayers!!!! Your situation weighs on my heart. You are SO STRONG and really impress me!!

just sending hugs (((((Nature Girl))))) (((((NG littles))))

and an FTG for good measure

When I started to read this I was forming a suggestion in my mind to advise you just to live with it based on the VERY high hurdle of overturning this type of decision on appeal. Usually appellate courts have to find an abuse of discretion and or NO evidence to support the ruling. BUT, as I read further you mentioned that the judge would not allow evidence of perv. That changes thing greatly and encourage you to have your attorney first file a motion to reconsider based on the erroneous evidentiary rulings

You can absolutely appeal. You appeal first to the appeals level courts, and if you don't like what they say, you can appeal to the state Supreme Court. They can choose not to hear your case, but the appeals court has to. Ama is right that appeals only consider the record from trial court, but the record should include any motions filed or hearings about evidence staying out. If there is an error there, it will be remanded for a new trial. The appeals court is all about correcting errors of law. They won't issue a custody schedule or whatever. They'll probably tell the trial judge to redo it, using the right law this time.

First make sure you're comfortable with you L's work so far, and then follow his advice. An abuse of discretion standard kind of sucks, in that the bar is pretty high for the appellate court to find in your favor. Again, this is something your L should advise you on.

Good luck!

Is there a child abuse advocate that you can talk to regarding the best way to get the evidence into the system? Or maybe the legal advice from the local domestic violence shelter may be able to help.

Hugs, NG You have worked so hard to get your kids to a safe place. I am praying for you and the kidlets.

NG - just sick about this. Hope you are able to get the legal support you and your kids so desperately need.

Sending you strength, honey. (((((hugs)))))