Judges Jockey for Class Credit

WHILE DIVORCE RATES LEVEL, disagreement and one-upmanship continue at a fever pitch in the Dallas County Family Court. And that’s just among the judges.

In March 1995, Judge Frances Harris ordered parents to attend a four-hour divorce education class before a breakup could be finalized in her court. The course, taught by the nonprofit EXCAP center, shows divorcing parents how their bitter sniping can indelibly scar their children.

Then, earlier this spring, fellow Family Court Judge Richard Johnson announced to the press that be was the first in the county to mandate such classes, and began requiring those divorcing in his court to go to a six-hour session run by the nonprofit Dallas Child Guidance Clinic.

Both courses are up and running, and post-class interviews indicate marked improvements in parents’ attitudes. So does it matter who thought of it first?

The debate centers on whether Judge Harris actually “requires” the course. In other parts of the country, belligerent parents have sued providers of divorce education programs, as well as the judges who force their attendance. Judge Harris skirts this issue by claiming that she “selectively” mandates classes.

But Judge Johnson wants it known that he requires all who divorce in his court to take the classes. And he doesn’t have much patience for the five Dallas County family court judges who don’t require parent training.

“My job as a judge is to do what’s in the best interest of the children,” hesays. “If people want to sue me for that, tell them to come on.”

Family law attorneys and psychologists are just happy that some divorce clients are being encouraged to cool their rhetoric.

“In most cities where these courses are offered, people get a choice of programs, schedules and locations,” says attorney Ike Vanden Eykel, whose firm recently sponsored a dinner naming Judge Harris the EXCAP Child Advocate of the Year. “It’s time the law requires parents to look at how they are dealing with their children during a divorce.”