Bonnie Russell Op/ED: As long as family court judges continue putting woman at risk...

As long as family court judges continue putting woman at risk, real-time monitoring GPS with victim notification is their only recourse.

 Described as a "legal activist" and founder of Familylawcourts.com, Bonnie's interests range from sailing to civil rights. Bonnie's written for Pacific Sun, boating periodicals, and newspapers throughout the country. Her exposes on fake attorneys and therapists have resulted in prosecutions. Although her main client base includes attorneys, and their clients, Bonnie remains independent. Or as Bonnie offers while smiling sweetly: "I've been biting the hand that feeds me now going on 12 years."

Although local news media has widely reported the arrest of five, long-time veteran San Diego police officers on charges ranging from sexual battery to rape; not reported is the background of Judge Lisa Schall's refusal to issue a permanent restraining order for a thirteen year female San Diego Police officer against her former lover, Sgt. Ken Davis, a 23 year San Diego Police Department veteran, who didn't take the break-up well and threatened to kill her. 

Another wrinkle:

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled police officers are not mandated to enforce restraining orders.

San Diego police made arrangements for the female officer to hide out in a safe house.  The question is, why should she have to hide?

Background of Judge Lisa Schall

Judge Lisa Schall has been twice disciplined by the California Commission on Judicial Performance.  Once for inappropriately jailing a woman for five days, and once for driving the wrong way on a freeway, after her DUI arrest.

What seems clear is Judge Schall is at best, unfamiliar with Battered Women's Syndrome.  A lack of awareness remains a top-down kind of problem.  Former governor Gray Davis likewise was also uneducated in this area.  It wasn't until Arnold Schwarzengger was voted in in a recall of Davis that BWS was successfully used by defense attorneys in parole matters.

What is unclear is whether Judge Lisa Schall and other judges unaware, has an interest in educating themselves to the reality of Battered Women's Syndrome.

Meanwhile

However, to protect women until judges are educated, attorneys for the female officer should request GPS with Victim Notification.  As long as family court judges continue putting woman at risk, real-time monitoring GPS with victim notification is their only recourse.  Unfortunately, the City of San Diego shows zero interest in protecting half the population.