Chapter 11 - MY ASSAULT CASE
My diversion hearing happened three weeks later.
Silas’s injuries had healed.
Six stitches.
Bruising.
No fracture.
No permanent harm.
He submitted a victim-impact statement saying he feared future violence around his children.
I hated reading it.
Then reminded myself that I had thrown a solid wooden object at his face in a room full of children.
He was allowed to describe fear.
My attorney negotiated:
Misdemeanor assault diversion.
Anger-management counseling.
Eighty hours community service.
Restitution for medical expenses.
No direct contact with Silas outside legal or family mediation.
Successful completion could lead to dismissal under local law.
The judge asked:
“Did you intend to hit Mr. Silas?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“He humiliated my daughter.”
“Was your daughter in immediate physical danger?”
“No.”
“Then what could you have done?”
“Taken her home.”
“Instead?”
“I wanted him hurt.”
The courtroom became very quiet.
The judge nodded.
“Accuracy is a useful beginning.”
I completed every condition.
No family-fraud argument.
No attempt to trade cooperation.
Silas’s own financial exposure would be separate.
Josephine eventually asked:
“Did Uncle Silas get in trouble for the horse?”
“Not for being mean.”
“Why not?”
“Being cruel isn’t always against the law.”
“That’s stupid.”
“Sometimes.”
“Then how do you stop people?”
“Leave. Tell the truth. Set rules. Sometimes courts can help with other things.”
She looked unconvinced.
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Children want one system that punishes every wrong accurately.
Adults spend lifetimes learning none exists.
