Our Michigan readers may have heard about San Francisco's newly elected Sheriff, Ross Mirkarimi, and the currently legal troubles he is facing with respect to his family. The situation involves allegations of domestic violence and a child custody dispute which recently resulted in a favorable ruling for the Sheriff.


Last Wednesday, a San Francisco family court judge approved a legal agreement between Mirkarimi and his estranged wife which will allow him two hours of visitation time each weekday and up to six hours on weekends.

Mirkarimi has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of domestic violence battery, child endangerment and dissuading a witness. The charges stem from an altercation between him and his wife on New Year's Eve. According to reports, Mirkarimi allegedly grabbed and bruised his wife's arm during an argument. After the incident, a neighbor filmed the bruise and her explanation of what took place, mentioned as well another incident that took place earlier in 2011.

That video was later turned into police over the objections of Mirkarimi's wife, who has objected to the order that her husband be prevented from seeing her and her son. The visitation order will reportedly stand until Mirkarimi's trial, which is set to begin later this month.

In the context of divorce, child custody and visitation issues are sometimes disputed. In order to resolve these disputes, judges are given a broad range of discretion to determine what is in the best interests of any children involved.

Source: Chicago Tribune, "Sheriff, facing abuse charge, granted visits with son," Emmett Berg, February 8, 2012.