Family Law Judge Orders Man Not to Have Girlfriend

A Canadian Judge has ruled that a 24-year-old Canadian man is not allowed to have a girlfriend for the next three years. The ruling came after Steven Cranley pleaded guilty on Tuesday to several charges stemming from an assault on a former girlfriend. Cranely tried to prevent his girlfriend from phoning the police by cutting her phone cord and punched and kicked her. He finally stabbed himself with a butcher knife when police did arrive, puncturing his aorta.

Doctors say Cranley has difficulty coping with rejection and runs a high risk to re-offend if he becomes involved in another intimate relationship. Justice Rhys Morgan said Cranley ''cannot form a romantic relationship of an intimate nature with a female person." citing this punisment as the only way to protect the public until Cranely seeks counseling.

In my experience, Iowa Judges have yet to hand down similar decision. However, who you date and his/her past can certainly impact your divorce, paternity, modification or other family law case when the children's custody or well-being is an issue.

The entire article is located at http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/world/AP-No-Girlfriend.html?ex=1182484800&en=6ecf36e95a19ae50&ei=5070&emc=eta1