"The Decision"

Here's a decision that would make King James be in awe. Initially I was reported to go to the Criminal Justice Center on Filbert Street. Why? I have no idea. Apparently nobody down there knows either. I could give the benefit of the doubt and be like; "Hey, they just had a new building open up, maybe they're behind a bit". Then I'd also say; "Bullshit. That new building has been open for over a fucking month now. There's no reason". So as I said, I was initially told to go to Filbert Street for this custody hearing. About two to three weeks ago I received another letter from court stating to now report to 1501 Arch Street, which is the new Family Court building. Fine.

My  routine Facebook ritual before court.

So the morning of court I walked my way down 16th Street and made a left on Arch and began the block or so walk. It was also cold as fuck too. I got there at about 9:05, my hearing was at 9:30. There was tons of security which held up the show but not too long. The elevators were mobbed. Too many fucking people. It was like cattle being herded into a fucking barnyard. I exited the line and went to the information desk. I asked the woman if my room was on the 3rd floor. She said; "No. You're in the wrong building". I gazed at my paper. Then pulled out the other one that said 1501 Arch. I looked at her again then my papers. I said; "This paper came in the mail recently and said come here". She explained how she was aware of said paper but it was sent out by mistake.

I called bullshit and went upstairs anyway. On my way I ran into them. They appeared to have the same problem as me only they were certain that they had to go to the 8th floor to clear it up, so, I followed them because I had no fucking idea what was going on. The guy sitting at the information desk on the 8th floor wasn't even supposed to be there. His job was somewhere else in the building. Yeah... he was just sitting there chatting with the cop who apparently was in charge of information. He wasn't sure himself about this issue so he brought our papers to some room while we waited. When he finally got back it was 9:20. He apologized for the inconvenience but... told us 'You have to go to Filbert St. Sorry. Minor mistake on our part". I was like... minor? I have court in 10 minutes. Filbert is like 3 fucking blocks over. He just looked at me like I was invisible. Fuck him. I posted on Facebook that morning; "New building, same stupid fucking idiots".

The time-stamp is wrong on this as the status didn't post until I left the building.

Surprisingly I made it to the CJC at 9:30. The fucking hearing was at 9:30. I went through security as quickly as I could only to end up in a train car like atmosphere that was straight out of Schindler's List. Total chaos. There are 6 elevators and everyone is trying to get on at once. Sure... security was there. But they were just there. Not doing anything. Hey, I guess they were catching up on gossip. Just standing there... IN THE WAY. I got to room 305 at 9:45-ish. I was expecting the worst but that little paper some genius sent out fucked everything up for seemingly everyone else as well. Hell the judge wasn't even there yet. I felt relieved obviously but pissed off because I was rushing to get nowhere basically. The whole process of just getting there, putting up with the stupid bullshit, just makes it worse. I was thinking that I shouldn't even be in this fucking place, and of course, I cursed everyone I am pissed at to hell and back. The clerks lumbering around waiting for the judge I kept hoping would trip and fall and I'd witness some emergency scene where the dude was dying in his own pool of blood. I dunno... Maybe the ceiling would gave in as the clerks were all grouped together talking about who knows what.

Typical.

Since we we're at the CJC we reported to an actual court room. Those fancy ones we see on TV all the time. I still wondered why we were here then I remember how incompetent Philadelphia's court system is and nothing is probably ready at the new Family Court building. After checking in the woman told me our case was first.... much to my relief. There were a bunch of other people there too so everyone waiting for their turn got to hear my case's business. It didn't matter to me though because the previous night I told my ex-wife if they weren't going to give me shit, I wouldn't. I was there for custody of my daughter and that's it. Custody of my son is pointless. He'll be 18 in 6 months. When the judge came it was about quarter after ten and it turned out we were the first case. We were the fourth. SMFH. Oh well. At least I got to listen how the judge was going to be operating that day.

The first case was a mother vs. the father. She had a lawyer and some other lady to give details I presume if needed. The dude was alone. Right off the bat the female judge, who I was fearing the whole time, seemed really fair I must say. She didn't want to hear any shit. State your peace and GTFO was really how I took it. Much different than my last judge. The guy lived with his mother and apparently they had a really bad flea problem, which he said they were trying to get rid of. He also failed a drug test (he smoked pot). The mother wanted sole custody, the father wanted shared. We in the audience weren't specifically shown pictures of sever flea bites but they were held up to the people in the case and we could see them. Anyway... long story short. The mother was denied sole custody and the judge awarded both shared custody. I was in a bit of shock. A woman judge not steam rolling a father? Let alone a father whose drug test was hot? Holy fuck.

Next case was the same. A mother and father fighting for custody. Only difference was the father's fiance, according to the mother, was threatening to shoot people. Yeah. Again, long story short, the judge brushed that off because the father denied it and awarded both shared custody. The shooting story did sound suspect I thought. They both were basically playing keep away on holidays and birthdays. The judge told both of them to grow up, the kids are between five and ten, and that they have plenty of time to share dates. Next! The next two or three cases the father didn't show up. I left the court house happy. That's never happened before. So basically my record is approximately 1-20. But I guess when you win one of the big  ones, that's better than nothing.

I actually waited until the evening to drink in celebration.

Did this restore my faith in the system? Fuck no. It's still shit and is fucking broken. In my experience the damage was done a long time ago by not only the people I was fighting against but a female judge with an agenda against dick. I nearly had a run-in with her prior to my hearing on Friday morning. Obviously I wouldn't have done anything but I would have thrown nasty looks her way for certain. I'll be there (at court) again for sure. Once my son is 18 I'll be there to file to stop support for him but even before that, I'll be there to file for support for my daughter.