Prosecutors Desk 12-15-13

On November 20, 2013, a Stevens County District Court Jury convicted Todd J. Sharp of Violation of a Domestic Violence Protection Order. (This is called a no-contact order.). In order to prove a Violation of a Domestic Violence Protection Order, the State must prove that there was a valid no contact order, that the defendant was aware of it, that the defendant disobeyed one of the requirements, and that the violation occurred in Stevens County in the State of Washington.

Mr. Sharp and his wife Mary were involved in divorce proceedings in Spokane in 2013. The judge made his final ruling orally on February 8, 2013. He ordered that Mr. Sharp was not to have contact with his children until he had complied with certain treatment conditions. Mr. Sharp was not present on February 19 for the final written aspect of the court order.

At trial, Ms. Sharp testified generally about her relationship with Mr. Sharp, and that she was in court on February 8, 2013 and so was Mr. Sharp. She testified that he was not to have contact with her or the children until he had complied with certain court-ordered conditions, but she had discovered he was contacting their daughter through Facebook. She also testified that there were past no-contact orders protecting her and the children. The final Protection Order, which was submitted to the jury as an exhibit, clearly states that Mr. Sharp was not to have contact with the children until he complied with the treatment conditions.

Mr. Sharp took the stand and testified that he was present on February 8, 2013 when the judge gave the order, but that the judge did not explain the no-contact provisions of the order carefully enough, so he thought he could contact the children. (He blamed the judge) He admitted to having sent the messages to his daughter. But on cross examination, Mr. Sharp admitted that the judge orally stated that he was not to have contact with his children without complying with the conditions and the written order stated it too.

The jury deliberated for just over an hour before returning a guilty verdict. Mr. Sharp was sentenced to 5 days in jail, a $1000 fine, 12 months of monitored probation and court costs. Deputy Prosecutor Saundra Richartz represented the state and Dee Hokom represented Mr. Sharp.

Domestic Violence happens far too often. It can destroy the lives of people who experience it and harms children who witness it. Because people have a right to see their children, judges are very careful when they make no-contact orders involving children. Whether or not a person agrees with the order, it must be followed. Domestic Violence Protection orders protect people who need protection. Just as domestic violence has serious consequences, violations of Protection Orders have serious consequences.

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