Thursday, March 05, 2009
I've been asked to testify in court.
I got a call from the Assistant Attorney General's office earlier this week. They wanted my permission to subpoena me to testify in the upcoming contested termination trial for Boo's case.
I had some apprehensions about doing so but the Asst. Attorney General who's been representing the state in this case called me herself personally to answer my questions and offer assurances.
My main concern was confidentiality. We've worked hard this past year to keep our last name and mailing address out of the court records for this case. We sign all court documents by first name only. We don't give out our address when filling out forms that might make their way to lawyers to be submitted in court. We have made it clear to Boo's lawyer and the CPS workers for this case that our information is not to be given out. To the best of our knowledge they've respected this request. Whenever we receive notification of upcoming court appointments, the notices themselves, which are given to all involved parties, show only Foster Parents/Address Confidential.
So, I worried that if I got up in court to testify, I'd be required to state first and last name. Or that the subpoena that would be sent to me and admitted into court record would have our mailing address on it. The Asst. Attorney General assured me that they'd leave everything listed as confidential, even on the subpoena, and that she would address me in court as "the foster mom", without having to ask for my last name.
What it comes down to is that they want me to testify to inform the judge, in my own words, what we've been through with Boo since she joined our family a year ago, how committed we are to this child, and that we are indeed willing and able to adopt her if a severance ruling is given.
Having never testified in court before, I must admit to being a bit nervous. I'm not so concerned about the questions that the Asst. Attorney General might be asking me, or what cross-examination questions Boo's lawyer might ask of me because their goal is the same as mine, severance and adoption (by us). I am a bit nervous about the cross examination of the bio-mom's attorney.
Will he attempt to try to discredit me? It'll be hard because I have nothing to hide and I'll be telling the truth. I'm not on trial, the bio mom is. The Asst. Attorney General gave me an idea of some of the types of questions he might ask me but she can't be certain what to expect from him.
In the end, I told her I'd do it. If she felt that my testimony would help strengthen their case in appealing to the judge to sever parental rights, then I'd do it. This child deserves permanency. She deserves to no longer be a foster child, after 20 months in care already. She deserves to have a loving, stable, caring, healthy home environment. We can offer that. We love her. We want to be her parents. We want Snuggle Bug to be her older brother.
She does not deserve to have this strung out any longer.
Labels: Boo, foster children, foster-to-adopt, fostering
17 Comments:
Wow-I would have all the same concerns. It is awesome that you are going to do this, and I so hope you can adopt her!
Will be praying!!
Everything will go well.
Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com
Praying for you. Your doing the right thing, Boo needs you to do this for her.
She does deserve permanency, and unending love, and I know you will give her those things.
Praying for you and the situation.
I would have the same reservations as well. I find it admirable of the Assistant DA to personally take the time to talk with you, that would make me feel better.
I would have the same reservations as well. I find it admirable of the Assistant DA to personally take the time to talk with you, that would make me feel better.
I would have the same concerns. Much luck in the testimony. I know you may be nervous, but I think your heart is in the right place!
In my experience the Bio Mom's attorney isn't truly out to look like a jerk for grilling a loving foster mom, they don't want to make it a case of Bio Family vs. Foster Family since the point of the trial is if Bio Mom is capable of parenting this child ever in the near future. If the attorney steps over boundaries the state's attorney will object (in my experiences) and you wont have to answer. You'll do fine and your information will be kept confidential if everyone tries. I'm praying for Boo. Go team Boo!
Praying for you all!
Best wishes to you and Boo's case. I'm sure things will go great -- you are a loving, caring family (from what I read here on the blog). I love hearing about you and the kids and all your hobbies. Here's hoping the trial goes smoothly and Boo can soon join your family permanently.
this is the side of adoption I wish the media would jump on.
It seems that they are fabulous about going on and on about how many kids are available for adoption.
they neglect that you might end up testifying in court just so that you can love and care for a child that another has basically thrown away.
I'm glad you decided to go for it!
I can certainly understand why you would have apprehensions, and it seems like they are taking all your concerns into consideration and doing what needs to be done to ensure your confidentiality. It sounds like you're doing the right thing- to be able to paint the picture of Boo's life over this past year. will be thinking of you!
I know this is a few days late but did you go to court yet? I would be nervous as well - only normal. And you are so right, Boo deserves you guys as her permanent family. I pray it all goes smoothly. Hugs!
Good for you. It will be tough but so worth it at the end. Well done for standing up for someone else. That takes a lot.
Do you feel ok about adopting a child that the mother doesn't want to relinquish? I would not feel good about that.
Post a Comment
<< Home