Posted by
JayPeriod on Monday, January 14, 2008 4:47:48 PM
In recent weeks, I've highlighted a couple of stories of families whose rights have been violated by out of control judges. I have found a few updates and wanted to share them. One is good news, one is incredible arrogance.
In the case of Denise Mafi, the mother who was threatened by Judge Scott Johansen, has had her court dated abandoned. It does not mean the it has been dismissed, but it is a step in the right direction. The Home School Legal Defense Association has taken on the case and is arguing that the judge over stepped his bounds and violated her rights. The court has canceled the January 19 court date they had set to determine if she should be jailed for not registering her children for school.
In the case of Jonathan Shifflett, the 11-year-old boy abducted from his home by a SWAT team because his father refused to allow paramedics to take him to the hospital after an accident, the sheriff, Lou Vallario, is defending his decision to use excessive force and a SWAT team because, according to him, Jonathan's father, Tom, stated that if the sheriff was going to take the boy, he should "bring an army." This constituted a threat to him. I have news for this sheriff, if someone showed up to take my children against my will, I might feel the same way. The sheriff cited other incidents where Tom was protecting his property, but of which no charges were ever filed. Therefore, the sheriff believes that if you plan to defend your property and family, you are deserving of having your home invaded by the KGB.
Both of these instances have gotten a lot of public outcry. Things are happening and those violating rights are feeling the heat. Hopefully, this will spark enough outrage across the country that incidents like these will cease to happen.