Chris Hobbs Court Hearing Update 29 June 09 – Madison County Courthouse - Chris’ former wife requested the Court find him in contempt and order Chris to cease his web site and billboard campaign claiming it was harming their child, a boy age twelve, otherwise have Chris jailed and/or fined. In the courtroom, Chris advised the judge that he refuses to be part of the legal proceedings. Why? Chris and his son have been treated unfairly in previous legal proceedings. He has no faith in the legal system. The judge pointed out there is a motion for contempt. He indicated to Chris that he could be jailed if he left the courtroom. Then the judge asked the former wife if she wanted Chris jailed if he didn’t participate? She said, “Yes” upon consulting with her attorney. The judge rolled his eyes with a slight look of disgust in response to her answer. After a brief recess, the judge did not Order Chris jailed after asking the Mother's attorney, Bill Burgess, if Chris was a flight risk? Burgess replied, “He is not a flight risk, but a publicity risk.” The former wife testified mostly about a billboard and how that upset the child. The mother also said the child was upset about the upcoming court proceedings. Further, she said Chris has not complied with her request to remove window vinyl displaying a picture of Chris, Judge Little and the parties son from Chris' truck, which is an untrue statement. According to Huntsville child physiologist Dr. Roger Rinn [FN1] hired by the mother’s attorney, Chris has not seen his son since March of this year. Dr. Rinn said he last saw the child June 18 and he was upset not only about the web site, but also “about the current court proceedings and not being able to see his father.” Interestingly Dr. Rinn said little about the billboard that was a significant issue during the mother's testimon. If Chris hasn’t seen the child since March who is telling him about the current proceedings? What is harming the child in this particular instance? The parties son was accustomed to living with both parents under equal custody until three years ago when Judge Little changed parenting time due to Chris becoming a firefighter. Now, he doesn’t see his father or paternal grandmother very often, which he previously shared a close nurturing relationship.
Additionally, in the last ten years there have been five lawsuits filed by the former wife. Chris has filed none. Simply the prolonged custody litigation and the former wife not allowing Chris make up parenting time, missed due to his fire department schedule, and Chris not being included on major parenting decisions causes strife between the parties. Chris Hobbs is did not create the problems placed before the court today. The court, abet a different judge, created these issues. Chris Hobbs loves his son and it standing up for what is right. All Chris wants is to have a meaningful, frequent and substantial relationship with his child. Back to the court hearing, near end of the proceedings Chris returned to the courtroom. The judge reluctantly allowed Chris to testify after he requested it. Chris submitted drawings that his son made, and several report cards showing the child is an A student. He told the court he only wants to be an active father, and the former wife doesn’t like it that he is informing the public about unfair and unjust rulings by the Alabama judicial system. Chris pointed out his son was doing just fine prior to Judge Little changing custody. The current judge is Kevin Grimes from Cherokee County. He took the case under advisement and will rule at a later time. It should be noted there was no motion before the court to modify custody; only to address the web site and billboard. Also, all Madison County judges have removed themselves from any legal proceeding to which Chris Hobbs is involved. Simply, these judges do not want the political baggage of the public knowing they are biased and unfair in their rulings. Sadly, in many Alabama courtrooms, what the effective Chris Hobbs web site campaign has accomplished in Madison County needs to be done in other jurisdictions. This would stop much of the bias that goes on with Alabama trial court judges in custody cases. When will the Alabama judicial system realize their actions to choosing only one parent in custody cases when there are two loving parents that want to be involved is HARMING the child? Blame the parents if you so choose, but prior to Judge Little's rulings the child was doing just fine. [FN1] Huntsville, Alabama Child Physiologist Dr. Roger Rinn It appears Dr. Rinn testifies to what his clients want him to say. If Dr. Rinn cared to know the entire facts to the Hobbs situation he would have stated previous opinions made when he was hired by a Marshall county father in a move away case, Ex Parte Monroe (1999) that went before the Alabama Supreme Court. In Ex Parte Monroe Dr. Rinn testified, “that fathers were "very important for sons in particular" and that by being with his father a boy "learns how to be a male, an adult male." Dr. Rinn also testified that boys who have close relationships with their fathers tend to have higher academic achievement, tend to be more empathetic as adults, and tend to be more compassionate toward others. Dr. Rinn concluded his testimony by stating that the more time a male child is able to spend with his father, the more-well rounded and better adjusted that child would be." How does Dr. Rinn believe he can utilize his expertize and help this child, and these parents, by testifying in a courtroom setting? Does Roger Rinn have this particular child's best interest at heart, or is he most interested in padding his wallet?
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