Judge refused to allow me to defend myself...

[susangoble1983]

I was divorced from a man who was proven an abuser in court the first time around. I was awarded full and sole legal custody of my child. I was harassed by this man so much that I lost my home, had my car stolen, and was forced to move over the river to keep myself safe. He filed an order and the judge granted it to him allowing him to keep my child from me for over 8 months. He refused to allow me to defend myself in court. He wouldn't allow me to talk much less hear my witnesses and between him, the Gal, and the attorney that I was forced to get, they gave my daughter to him because I refused to move back to his city. Now after I fired my attorney they are trying to force me to sign over my overpayment to the Gal to the attorney I fired. That was money owed to me and I dont see how they can legally do that. I have been screwed all around while they protect and defend a common criminal. I have no record to speak of at all and was treated like I was the criminal in this case. I do have a legal right to defend myself and be heard do I not?

 

[army judge]

I was divorced from a man who was proven an abuser in court the first time around. I was awarded full and sole legal custody of my child. I was harassed by this man so much that I lost my home, had my car stolen, and was forced to move over the river to keep myself safe. He filed an order and the judge granted it to him allowing him to keep my child from me for over 8 months. He refused to allow me to defend myself in court. He wouldn't allow me to talk much less hear my witnesses and between him, the Gal, and the attorney that I was forced to get, they gave my daughter to him because I refused to move back to his city. Now after I fired my attorney they are trying to force me to sign over my overpayment to the Gal to the attorney I fired. That was money owed to me and I dont see how they can legally do that. I have been screwed all around while they protect and defend a common criminal. I have no record to speak of at all and was treated like I was the criminal in this case. I do have a legal right to defend myself and be heard do I not?

Trials and courts have a protocol.
You can't just speak when you wish, nor can you speak about just anything.
Your spoken words must be relevant.

Yes, every criminal and civil defendant has a right to defend himself or herself.

 

[ElleMD]

Reading between the lines here, it appears you had a clause in your custody agreement which required that you inform the other parent of any moves. If you did not, and or did not fully adhere to the agreement as it was written, then you are the one violating the law and judges take a very dim view of that. Even if you fire an attorney, you still owe him or her for the work they did perform. While the judge can't order you to live in a particular town, he can adjust custody/visitation based on the fact that you live further away. One parent is not permitted to interfere with the visitation rights of the other parent.