The following is a letter to the editor from Dr. Richard C. Weiss to the editor at Opelika-Auburn News.
Letter to the Editor Opelika-Auburn News 3505 Pepperell Parkway Opelika, AL 36801
Dear Editor:After my letter in the OA News described the rabid anti-father family court practices in Lee County several fathers called me and shared terrible stories about their outrageously biased custody decisions. Worse, they confided they had personally witnessed corruption - arguably illegal practices – among certain family court judges and attorneys here in Lee County.
Judge Jacob Walker III has now ordered my children to move with their mother – against my objections - to Arkansas. Other than some summer "visits" there is essentially no parenting time allowed me the rest of the year other than a few three day weekends during the school year and a few alternating holidays. Judge Walker in his anti-father campaign violates the new Alabama Parent – Child Relationship Protection Act that essentially prohibits such child move aways – and also the Alabama Joint Custody statute. Outrageously, Judge Walker seems confused about the new law. He isn’t even sure whether it applies to my case – despite clear wording of the law.
In more anti-father disregard for state law, Walker ignores acts of family violence committed by the children’s mother. These same acts would land any father in prison and rescind his rights to see his children altogether. Interestingly, these acts happened over a year and a half ago but the city court judge – after negotiations with the mother’s attorney – saw fit to “postpone” the criminal hearing indefinitely lest it adversely affect the mother’s move away bid.
I routinely witnessed rampant collusion between the opposing attorney and the attorney for the children who was appointed illegally, all overlooked by Walker.
My case is now being appealed to a higher court because of the many errors and constitutional violations in Walker’s order. But the spectre of sitting through this Lee County charade of justice where back room deals, money, and corruption rule and justice lies obstructed is totally mind boggling.
Sincerely,
Dr. Richard C. Weiss
President, Alabama Center for Children’s Justice
Sounds like Judge Jacob Walker III has a bias against a whole class of American citizens. I wonder if Judge Jacob Walker III hates minorities as much as it seems he hates fathers. I wonder if he hates the fathers who are fighting America's enemies abroad as much as he hates fathers here in America. Probably. I wonder if he hates his own father and thats why it seems he hates all fathers. I wonder if he thinks kissing ass to Marxist feminists will make him popular with the ladies. Maybe we should honor Judge Walker III with the "Sleazeball of the Month" award.
NOTE: I've got better things to do than erase the childish, immature, psychotic, obscene comments from looney Roger Weidner and his gang of illiterate morons, so just put your opinions at the Johnhays.net Forum.
Dr. Weiss,
Posted by: Divorced Mother of One at April 26, 2004 09:45 AM | Link
Have you considered moving to Arkansas? If you want to participate in the lives of your children, why can't YOU give up what YOU want and have and follow your children? You are asking your ex-wife to give up what she AND THE COURT feels is a good step into improving her and your children's lives (please see comment below regarding violence). Furthermore, I feel that you should take a closer look at the Alabama Parent-Child Relationship Protection Act. The key word in your above description of the act is "ESSENTIALLY". The Act is so wordy and lengthy it may seem to be a law prohibiting move-aways, but the truth is that it only provides for notification to the non-custodial parent of intent to change principal residence. It SUGGESTS that it is in the best interest of the child to have both parents within 60 miles of one another. It DOES NOT prohibit the custodial parent from moving but does allow the non-custodial parent with the opportunity to file a challenge to the move. If your case truly does involve family violence, I whole-heartedly back your argument. NO child should be subjected to family violence. In regards to the comments about Judge Walker posted below your letter, I believe it is outrageous and inflammatory to presume and state that a man of the law may hate fathers and may use that as a basis for his judicial decisions. To whoever wrote the comment, maybe you should stop "WONDERING" so much and send a letter right to Judge Walker telling him how YOU feel and ask him what he thinks about it.