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Suggs consenting to Protective Order was a wise move.
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Suggs consenting to Protective Order was a wise move.
On December 11, 2011, Terrell Suggs consented to the entry of a Final Order of Protection, in exchange for an agreement that the District Court would not enter a finding of abuse as well as for the entry of a temporary joint custody, vistation and child access schedule, and child support pending final litigation in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County. The Final Order of Protection is good for one year from December 11, 2009. The custody, visitation, and child support is also subject to revision upon the Circuit Court for Baltimore County resolving the pending custody case.
For a celebrity, this is an unusual result. Many celebrities will hire high price attorneys and defend these allegations regardless of the risk. The celebrity hopes that by defending the allegation and telling his/her story, no one will think he/she is an abuser. Public opinion usually does not take note of the defense.
However, in this situation, Suggs made a wise move. Presently, he has not been charged with a criminal act. Had he taken the stand, the Baltimore County Police Department and the Office of State’s Attorney could reevaluate whether to have him charged with criminal assault in the second degree. Worse, the Assistant State’s Attorney could use any testimony made by Suggs in today’s hearing against him to possibly obtain a conviction in the future.
It also helps and protects Suggs in the pending civil abuse lawsuit. Now his defense team can conduct discovery and determine the validity of Ms. Williams story. Further, Ms. Williams’ attorneys do not have a statement from Suggs that can be used against him in the custody or abuse trials, a frustrating result.
It is also likely the NFL will take no disciplinary action against him. With no finding by the District Court of abuse, the NFL would have to conduct its own investigation and be Judge, Jury, and Executioner if it were going to punish Suggs. Even as tough as Commission Roger Goddell wants to pretend he is, Goddell must concede that taking disciplinary action would be a public relations nightmare without a criminal conviction or even a finding of abuse. Expect the NFL to take no action.
But the ultimate reason to consent to the protective order is because he is being reunited with his children. By Suggs consenting, he was able to obtain a legally binding temporary parenting agreement (i.e. , custody, visitation, child access schedule, and child support). Now he will see his children per the schedule entered by the District Court. If Ms. Williams denies him access, she will be subject to contempt of court proceeding.
To learn more about prosecuting and defending protective orders, or how to create a parenting plan, custody, visitation, child access schedule, and child support, please contact Timothy J. Mummert, P.A. for more information. http://www.mummertlaw.com/CM/Custom/Contact.asp
