wrote in message
oups.com...

B. Lafferty wrote:
He may ultimately not prevail, but Sam is not without
brains and courtroom savvy (recall that he argued and won his own case
before the US Supreme Court).

Transcript of Hearing before Judge Douglas S. Wong
October 5, 2005

THE COURT: Mr. Sloan, I just want to warn you, you're in a courtroom
in a court of law, and you're going to act in an appropriate manner in
terms of listening to court officers' directions and not arguing. If
there is a problem with you, then, I can sanction you, which means
putting you in jail. So, there better not be any problems with you in
this courtroom.

MR. SLOAN: Your Honor, may I be heard?
THE COURT: No. Okay. As to Mr. Sloan's custody petition against Ms.
Rankoth, I understand she's going to accept service and jurisdiction
of the court, is that correct?
MR. KARAM: Yes, your Honor.
THE COURT: Even though Mr. Sloan doesn't have an affidavit.
MR. KARAM: Yes, your Honor. Service wasn't timely, but she will accept
service, yes.
THE COURT: Respondent accepts service and jurisdiction. Issue is
joined.
Now, this was already discussed with you with my court attorney. It's
the same thing I just discussed with Ms. Rankoth. She filed a petition
today for an order of protection. Normally, you could either wait to
be served with the paperwork by her, and she would have to bring back
an affidavit of service, Mr. Sloan. However, if you want to, you can
agree to service and jurisdiction of the court on that case today so
that both cases can proceed ahead. That's up to you. Do you want to
wait to be served with the paperwork by Ms. Rankoth, or do you want to
accept service and jurisdiction?
MR. SLOAN: I will accept service, but I want to speak to the issue.
THE COURT: I'm not dealing with the issue now. I want to know --
MR. SLOAN: I'm trying to move to disqualify this attorney because I
have had conflicts with his law firm for fourteen years.

THE COURT: Any motion has to be in writing. Respondent accepts service
and jurisdiction. Issue is joined on all cases.
Since there is no consent on these cases, the cases will be proceeding
ahead to a hearing. Each of you can bring in all your evidence and
witnesses on the next date for the hearing. You can testify at the
hearing if you want to do so. You can question each other's witnesses
at the hearing. At the end of the hearing, a judge listening to all
the evidence on each petition, will make a final decision whether to
grant a final order of protection or not, and also make a decision on
the custody and visitation petition involving the child.
MR. SLOAN: Your Honor, she has two methyl amphetamine addicts living
in her home.
THE COURT: Okay, sir. I just warned you about interrupting me, and I'm
not going to warn you again. All those issues that you're presenting,
you should save those for the hearing in front of a judge. I'm not
interested in those issues at this time.
MR. SLOAN: I would like to be heard.
THE COURT: The incident with the order of protection from October 3,
did your client report that to the police?
MR. KARAM: She did not, your Honor. Other than the contact and the
threatening words spoken, there was nothing else related to it. She
conveyed that to me, as well as the incidents that happened a week
before when Mr. Sloan appeared at the apartment and banged on the
door.
THE COURT: What about these allegations from 1988?
MR. KARAM: At the time, the parties were living in Abu Dhabi in the
United Arab Emirates.
MR. SLOAN: Your Honor, may I be heard?
THE COURT: No. I did receive this answer to the custody petition and
counterclaim. Once again, I'm putting that in the file for the judge
who conducts the hearing, but I have reviewed it and informed ACS of
the allegations.
ACS will be doing a full investigation of this matter and reporting
their findings back to the Court. Both sides have to cooperate with
the Administration for Child Services' investigation and report.
How old is the child here?
MR. KARAM: There are five children living -in the home. The child in
question is going to turn fourteen next month.
THE COURT: Are the children all with your client at the current time?
MR. KARAM: Yes. Three of them she has in common with Mr. Sloan. Two
are not related to Mr. Sloan.
THE COURT: Okay, and Mr. Cadet, do you have a report for the Court?
MR. CADET: Yes, Judge. I did have an opportunity to speak with my
client. She denied all of the allegations in Mr. Sloan's custody
petition alleging drug use in the home. She indicated there is no
problem in the home.
She also indicated she wanted no contact with her father. I asked her
why. She expressed to me concerns that her older sibling had told her
when she was younger Mr. Sloan would often walk into the bathroom when
she was bathing, just open the door. She's afraid about that, and also
that she was aware that allegedly in the past, Mr. Sloan had abducted
two of her siblings and went to California.
MR. SLOAN: May I address this, your Honor?
THE COURT: No. As I indicated, you'll be able to address all these
issues at the hearing.
MR. SLOAN: Well, especially the part about the police coming to her
house
THE COURT: Just get out your calendars.
MR. SLOAN: I would like to address
COURT OFFICER: Quiet.
THE COURT: Sir, I'm not going to warn you again about interrupting me
and talking out of turn. If you do that again, you're going to be held
in contempt of court and you're going to be incarcerated.
Pick a date for each of the hearings. November 22,
23, 28, 29 or 30?
MR. CADET: November 28, your Honor.
THE COURT: Part 9, November 28. I'm actually going to be putting in
the order, all sides must cooperate with ACS and law guardian
investigation and reports, and I will be granting your client, on her
petition, the order of protection.
MR. SLOAN: Your Honor, may I address that?
THE COURT: Mr. Sloan is not to commit any criminal offense against
her, and this includes the children; not to assault, harass, threaten
or menace her or the children. He has to stay away from her and the
children at all times.
MR. SLOAN: Your Honor, I need to speak.
THE COURT: If you violate the order of protection, after being served
with the order, then, you'll be arrested for violating the order of
protection.
Also, there will be no communication or have anybody else contact her
on your behalf.
MR. SLOAN: I need to address the Court on this.
THE COURT: Part 9, November 28, for the hearing. Thank you. Just wait
outside.
MR. SLOAN: I'm making a complaint against you. You did not allow me to
speak.
THE COURT: Step out, sir.
COURT OFFICER: Let's go, sir. Step out. (Whereupon, the matter was
adjourned.)

Certified to be a true and accurate transcript.
STEPHEN E. GENDEL, Official Court Reporter

What's actually appaling here is the conduct of the judge. A pro se party
not allowed to speak to the issue of a protective order being granted is
shocking.