Originally posted by Surtur
So yeah this is a thing that happened:http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/florida-judge-jails-domestic-abuse-victim-not-testifying-n441331
I understand being upset someone won't testify against an abuser..but this is a little much.
Keep in mind that isn't even the most disturbing thing. The guy who did this choked her and threatened her with a knife while she was holding their child..and he got 16 days in jail. He also had a prior charge and yet he gets a 16 day sentence.
He got that sentence because his wife refused to testify. She was the only witness as to him wielding the knife, etc, so without her testimony there was very little that he could be forced to cop to.
As to the judge, I dunno. I mean the woman called the police because she was in fear for her and her child's safety, but she refused to act in a manner afterwards to ensure their continued safety. She made a statement and had charges pressed against her husband, then didn't follow through. Being a complete devil's advocate here she wasted the state's time and money with this, and she's putting herself and her child right back in the same situation by doing nothing.
It is harsh, but a few days in jail may remind her that by not following through that she may lose her child and lose her life in more ways than one if she continues in the situation that she's in.
To those saying the judge should be fired, sued, etc., sorry, but the judge followed the law here by all appearances. There is nothing so egregious that it appears worthy of any action legal or otherwise, at least as of now.