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Reader charges family court discrimination

Posted Tuesday, June 26, 2007

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My son recently had a custody case heard in Judge (K. Randall) Hufstetler’s family court. The Judge did not consider important sections of the Texas Family code before rendering his ruling, specifically; § 153.001. PUBLIC POLICY. (a) The public policy of this state is to:

1. assure that children will have frequent and continuing contact with parents who have shown the ability to act in the best interest of the child;
2. provide a safe, stable, and nonviolent environment for the child; and
3. encourage parents to share in the rights and duties of raising their child after the parents have separated or dissolved their marriage.

Before my son ever went to trial he was told that Judge Hufstetler favored the woman in the courtroom. He clearly showed this discriminatory behavior in his ruling. I have discussed with other people cases that have been heard by Judge Hufstetler and they confirm that my son’s case was not unique. The treatment of fathers in Judge Hufstetler’s family court is definitely unfair and discriminating. Sadly there is no recourse to review the Judges rulings except for the appeal process which is time consuming and expensive. Fathers should not go broke or into debt to have a relationship with their children. The Family Court system seems to leave them little choice. Could these discriminatory practices be the reason so many Father’s never have the opportunity to build healthy relationships with their children?

My hope is that voters will pay attention to (Judge Hufstetler’s) rulings and when election time nears they will let their voice be heard. I intend to let mine be heard. Since there are so many split families we need to make sure that our family court system is always awarding in the best interest of the child no matter what the judge’s opinion is.

Lorraine Hill, Angleton

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