‘She coached my daughter to testify that I committed DV…My daughter explained how her mother practiced her testimony, and made up parts’

Background: The California Judicial Council’s Domestic Violence Practice and Procedures Task Force recently invited comments on its Draft Guidelines and Recommended Practices for Improving the Administration of Justice in Domestic Violence Cases. There’s a big problem with the Draft Guidelines–they don’t deal with the false allegations issue. In late June, I urged my readers to write to the Task Force and urge them to consider the massive problem false allegations represent in their report. Several hundred of you wrote letters. I have asked for and received permission from several of those who wrote the Task Force to include their letters in my blog.
All letters are published anonymously. To learn more, see my original call to action Act Now: Major New Report on Domestic Violence, Family Law, Restraining Orders Doesn’t Even Mention False Allegations! or click here. From “Bruce,” a reader: Dear Task Force: I would like to mention my case as an example. My ex-wife got mad at me. She chased me from our apartment to the street. She was topless at that time. I had to lock myself in the car. She climbed the car and broke the windshield. My neighbors called the police and reported that a topless woman broke the windshield. When the police arrived, she ordered my 8-year-old daughter to tell them that “father became violent recently.” The officer arrested me. She even brought my daughter to the court and coached her to testify in the court that I committed violence. My daughter explained in detail how many times mother practiced her testimony, and which parts of it she made up. I was found not guilty. My ex was never punished for false domestic violence allegations and for bringing an 8-year-old child to testify to false allegations against her father. After that, my ex attempted to file four other police reports. All four times, I succeeded in proving that I was innocent. I am ready to present all related documents, including transcripts. I suggest addressing the issue of false allegations. There are extremely serious consequences for anyone convicted of domestic violence. That includes losing child custody, jail time, fines, protective orders, attorney fees, and possible employment problems. If a wife falsely accuses her husband of domestic violence, there are no consequences. Bruce