Man Ordered to Undergo Counseling in Child Custody Case

In Santa Monica, California, it is reported that a man was ordered to seek counseling if he wants to obtain child custody.  The father of twin daughters supposedly had a history of making racist and sexist comments. 

On Tuesday, the split appellate court upheld the order and said that the man's furious outbursts with both women and minorities were making it difficult for the court to reunite him with his daughters. 

Justice Paul Turner wrote that the father's ability, "will be enhanced if he understands ... that in a diverse culture such as in Los Angeles County, he cannot consistently insult women and all persons who are different from him."  Justice Sandy Kriegler agrees with Justice Turner. 

However, Justice Orville Armstrong Jr. did not agree and said that the juvenile court referee abused her discretion by saying the man must get counseling for his behavior.  Justice Armstrong wrote that while he found the man's comments to be "deplorable", he felt there was, "no evidence that father's bad temper or deplorable remarks created a risk of serious physical abuse to these children."

After evidence was presented that the father had shouted sexist and racist comments at social workers at his daughters' school, Los Angeles County Juvenile Court Referee Sherri Sobel ordered that he get counseling. 

If you are dealing with child custody challenges, now is the time to get a Riverside family lawyer involved.  Contact the Law Office of Michael R. Young today!