What is shocking about this case is the booking sheet, which is stamped both "civil" and "felony". Whereas a family court judge may find a parent in civil contempt and even use jail time as a sanction (although it is not warranted in this case), the same judge has no authority to find a parent guilty of a crime for which he was never convicted. Public defenders and juries are not allowed in family court; such decisions are not allowed by a family court judge for this very reason - family court deprives charged criminals of basic criminal rights afforded by law. Finally, Judge Ernesto Romero does not get to be the district attorney, law enforcement, and the judiciary all rolled up into one. These offices are separated to avoid the very event that occurred here - a rogue judge taking out his frustrations by ruining a parent's record without evidence or cause.

Finally, the order setting conditions of release is appalling: in addition to the child support payment to mother required for release, Chuck is not permitted to leave the county without Court permission, and must inform his "attorney" (he is Pro Se) of his whereabouts. (I imagine that he has no trouble following this edict, and constantly informs himself of his own whereabouts.) Since there is no pending "criminal" trial for his alleged felonious action of owing a little over $1000 in child support, the release conditions apparently apply forever with no ending date, consigning him to ongoing confinement within the county. Look here to find out more about the gross mistreatment of this father by the court system.