Can I use a video of my girlfriend beating me in court?
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Can I use a video of my girlfriend beating me in court?
Asked on January 7, 2012 under Family Law, Pennsylvania
Answers:
MD, Member, California Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Videos used in child custody and support cases do go a long way but whether they would be admissable would depend on many factors. If you are using this to get a more favorable child support order, it would not impact the matter since your obligations are to the child not to the girlfriend. If this is to obtain custody of the children, this is a different issue and it would be relevant. Whether your attorney would be able to admit this and have the court allow this into direct evidence will depend largely on whether or not you videotaped this in public or while on public property. If yes, she has no claim to privacy and it will be admitted. If you videotaped on private property and you live in a state that requires her consent in audio or video recordings, it may not be admissible unless there are clear legal exceptions for criminal acts. If your girlfriend beat you and this has to do with the safety of your child or children, you certainly should seriously consider filing a police report and pressing charges.
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