Judge Orders "Date" in Domestic Violence Case

Joseph Bray of Plantation, Florida came home and didn't wish his wife happy birthday.  They got into an argument and Bray pushed his wife onto the couch, put his hand on her neck and "he held up his fist to hit her, but never struck her".

Bray appeared in court this week to face the domestic violence charge.



This is Judge John "Jay" Hurley's order:

"He’s going to stop by somewhere and he’s going to get some flowers,” Judge John “Jay” Hurley said during the first appearance hearing. “And then he’s going to go home, pick up his wife, get dressed, take her to Red Lobster. And then after they have Red Lobster, they’re going to go bowling.”

 The Judge continues:

“It was a minor incident, in the court’s opinion,” he said. “The court would not normally do that if the court felt there was some violence but this is very, very minor and the court felt that that was a better resolution than other alternatives.”  Hurley asked her is she was hurt or in any fear of her husband. After she said she wasn't, and Hurley confirmed that Bray had no prior arrests, the judge continued his questioning with a lighter tone." 

“Do you have something you like to go to?” he asked. “Is there a restaurant you like to go to?” The woman answered that she enjoyed bowling and eating at Red Lobster. And so the judge made his decision accordingly. “Flowers, birthday card, Red Lobster, bowling,” Hurley said. He also ordered that the couple begin seeing a marriage counselor within a week."

Judge Hurley and the media seem to find this story amusing, but there is nothing funny about domestic violence.

If she is truly a battered woman, does the Judge really expect her to say in open court that she is...and that she is afraid of her husband?  It's well known that domestic violence victims deny the abuse because they are afraid of the abuser.

The fact that he started to hit her makes it apparent Bray has anger issues.  Just because he has no previous record doesn't necessarily mean he isn't an abuser. He stopped just short of hitting her this time, but neither of them may be as lucky next time.

Bray definitely needs counseling, but Judge Hurley's order for couple counseling makes it clear he believes Bray's wife is equally responsible for the violence committed against her.

It is no surprise many victims of domestic violence don't speak out about the abuse, especially in light of a ruling like this one.  Unfortunately, the victims always seem to get blamed while the courts protect the abusers.

Judge Hurley and the media are attempting to trivialize this case by using a "lighter tone".  Hurley's ruling is an insult and a slap in the face to victims of domestic violence everywhere.

Peace

Source:  http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/state/broward-judge-orders-man-in-domestic-case-to-go-on-date-with-wife----dinner-bowling-counseling