12.6.16 Relevance Issues

Child custody cases under the PSFRVA present important relevance issues that must be raised by lawyers representing victims. Because the PSFVRA mandates specific outcomes once a determination of “family violence” is made, the “best interests” evidence normally considered in custody determinations is usually not relevant. The perpetrator may want to testify that he takes his kids to church every Sunday or coaches the soccer team, but that type of evidence has no bearing in a PSFVRA case. Lawyers should be diligent in objecting to that type of evidence so that it does not detract from the relevant abuse issues.