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Domestic Violence and Custody Implications
Can a Domestic Voilence charge impact a custody case?
Absolutely yes. To be blunt if a person is convicted of committing an act of domestic violence then this event may nuke his or her chances to obtain custody of the child(ren). The most important provision of the domestic violence law is in N.J.S.A. 2C:25:29(b)(11), which authorizes the court to award temporary custody of a minor child(ren). This provision also declares that "The court shall presume that the best interests of the child are served by an award of custody to the non-abusive parent."
Can you provide me some example cases wherein a parent lost custody because she was convicted of domestic violence?
Chen v. Mei-In Chen, 2008 WL 646 (App. Div. 2008). Here, Ms. Chen committed an act of domestic violence when she ran over her husband's foot. Ms. Chen was upset because she saw her husband hugging their daughter to say goodbye to her. In a fit of rage, Ms. Chen ran over Mr. Chen's foot and he was dragged about five feet as he banged on the window for his wife to stop the car. The child was age eight, and she cried as she witnessed this traumatic event. Thereafter, Mr. Chen filed a complaint for a restraining order against his wife. He obtained a temporary restraining order. In the final restraining order against his wife, as a result of Mrs. Chen's violent behavior, custody of the child was transferred to Mr. Chen. At the domestic violence hearing custody was only temporarily transferred to Mr. Chen. However, as the case progressed the custody of the minor daughter was permanently transferred to him. Here, the custody of the daughter was transferred to the husband based solely on the domestic violence incident. It is important to emphasize that hundreds of child custody decisions are also based on acts of domestic violence. Mann v. Mann, 270 N.J. Super. 269 (App. Div. 1993). Here, a mother lost custody of her three children of the ages of 11,12, and 13 to her husband. A Mercer County judge found her guilty of criminal mischief and harassment under the domestic violence law. The case was then appealed. However, the Appellate Division still held that the family court judges have the legal authority to issue custody orders following instances of domestic violence.
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Domestic Violence and Custody Implications
To file for divorce in New Jersey under no-fault grounds, the couple must have been living separate and apart in different residences for at least 18 consecutive months. There must be no hope of reconciliation in the marriage.
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