Stresses after Court Experience

[WildChild]

Wasn't sure where to put this. Recently I had to go to court in a quasi criminal case related to child custody. I've never dealt with anything like this before. The preliminaries had drug out for a year, my ex's attorney had gotten a court investigator ordered, had chosen the counselor who did the investigation and then tried to discredit the report in court because the results weren't what they wanted. Having done that the attorney then tried to use the same report to make me out to be a very warped person. (I think that's called trying to eat your cake and have it too)

I spent some hours on the stand, was called a liar, attempts were made to make me out to be a racist- I pointed out that there is a big difference between disliking an ethnic group and being opposed to an ideology or belief system, that I had spent years in that group until I had actually learned enough to see what was really there. This group teaches that anyone who leaves should be killed by anyone who is a believer - so this has been a very difficult thing to speak out about. It is very likely that this court case did increase the risk to me and my kids.

In the end the judge didn't buy and short of saying that the kids shouldn't have to see their father (their refusal to do so kicked this off) I pretty much "won" the case. I was found not to be in contempt and not to have practiced parental allienation, while my ex was remonstrated with over his failure to be truly involved in the kids lives. My attorney was happy with the result and expressed that we couldn't have gotten a more positive result. I simply felt drained and beaten up. I couldn't sleep for several nights after (didn't sleep for a couple nights before either) I tear up for no reason, I'm not feeling depressed really but just beaten up. Now I really understand why people hate attornies, information was twisted, lies told (they aren't under oath) it was a shock. I'm curious of other's experiences. Have you been to court and ended up feeling like you've been burned at the stake even though you "won"?

[CHANDLERS WISH]

WildChild... That was one day you weren't wanting, yet were. I commend most judges because they can always detect a lie from the truth thankfully and I for one am so happy that you won..

I feel that you didn't feel elated because at the end of the day, what you were / are fighting is higher than the Courts, it's your daily life, and what you have to watch out for...

You stood your ground and you stayed composed even though you had no sleep, but you won.. Congratulations.

I have been to Court with a lier, over my business and I had to go back and back, whilst he discredited me, until finally a few last bits of evidence was tendered which proved him a lier and yes I walked drained, almost discredited, until the end where the truth came out... Needless to say, I would have to go again to get a monthly payment in place and so, I give up...

People don't care about being under oath or not being under oath, rather winning, he lost.... It's all recorded, the twisted lies acknowledged...

I hope that this can bring you some closure to such a long arduous journey of hatred and pain...

CW