Sound Judge-ment?

This story falls into the category of "you've got to be kidding me!" It begins with me wanting to ask what Quebec Superior Court Judge Madam Justice Suzanne Tessier is smoking, but that would be defamatory, so I'll refrain. But at the very least one has to ask what the hell she was thinking?!

Here's the scenario. A twelve year old girl lives with her father and step-mother (they have legal custody). The girl is repeatedly reprimanded for posting pictures on an internet dating site. She is banned from the computer. The girl goes to a friend's house and to post pictures . She is caught and grounded. The punishment includes being forbidden to attend a class trip to Quebec City. The girl relocates to her mother's home. The mom gives her permission to travel with the class, however the school requires both parent's consent for the trip. So what's a girl to do? Why take your father to court of course.

So far this story isn't that hard to believe, at least up to the court part. Where it becomes bizarre is with the judge's verdict. She ruled in the child's favour! (you can read about it here or here). The judge determined that the punishment was too severe and that it shouldn't stand because the girl was no longer living with the father (even though he has legal custody).

As a parent I am shocked with this judge's decision. If the father had been abusive or had the girl locked in her room with only bread and water then I could see the logic. But the punishment was refusal to allow the daughter to participate in a trip. Apparently she had been repeatedly reprimanded and warned yet she continued to partake in the forbidden behaviour. So my question to the judge is when did it become excessive to remove a child's priviledge's for bad behaviour?

The judge has not only stripped this man of any authority he has over his daughter, but she has reinforced this girl's blatant disrespect for him. It also sends a terrible message to other young people. Don't like a punishment your parents have doled out? No problem, just take 'em to court.

Despite the fact that the field trip has now come and gone, the press reports that the father intends on pursuing an appeal of this decision. He says it's the only way he can regain his authority over the child. Unfortunately I think, thanks to Ms. Tessier, it's way too late.