Celebrity Court

While most of the country was sleeping, or paying attention to more important news like the results of the Iowa Caucus, Britney Spears was busy getting herself into a whole heap of more trouble.

According to reports, Spears was supposed to hand over her two sons to ex-husband Kevin Federline’s bodyguards, per their custody arrangement. She refused and police were called.

What happened when the police arrived is still a bit foggy. We know that Federline’s lawyer showed up, presumably with a copy of the court order and the police determined that it was indeed Federline’s time to have the kids. Following this, the police called an ambulance and Britney was sent to the hospital for an evaluation. She was behaving oddly, likely due to being under the influence of drugs, and she will have to have a psychiatric evaluation.

Even less clear is why, reportedly, one of the kids, Jayden James, went to the hospital in a second ambulance. Was he injured? Sick? Kevin Federline and the other child were also seen at the hospital.

Britney likely had a stressful day, after being deposed for all of fourteen minutes by Federline’s lawyer. This is the deposition that she has already missed twice. When she showed up late, they only had 14 minutes to question her.

No word on how long Britney will be at the hospital.  If they determine that she is a danger to herself or others, she might be staying awhile. This whole situation has really gone beyond mere amusement or train wreck watching and has collapsed into what reminds me of an episode of Intervention. Sad really doesn’t even begin to describe the whole situation.  It seems pointless to even hope for a good resolution for this whole thing, where it is clear that it has already damaged so many.

Sources: People magazine, Perez Hilton

Photo Source: TMZ

Britney Spears, Jayden James Federline, Kevin Federline

Although I cannot say that I am surprised, Britney Spears failed to appear for a deposition in her child custody case. Expected to take place yesterday, Britney did not show up because of “high level of anxiety.”

First of all, everyone is nervous when they have to give a deposition or testimony in a court case. I am sure that everyone who has to testify about something personal, private, and probably embarrassing gets very anxious about their testimony. By why on the earth would she think that she could skip it? It is just a case of her being used to always getting her way and not having to follow “regular people” rules.

Have you watched paparazzi video of her lately? The paparazzi open doors for her, pump her gas, give her directions, all pretending to help her in exchange for video and photographs of her. When you have those kinds of people around you, not to mention all the enablers in her personal life, it is no wonder she thinks that she can skip a deposition because of anxiety. This is, of course, the same woman who skipped court previously because she overslept.

I am sure that most people would love to skip work or jury duty or something else in their life because they feel anxious about it.  Most people, however, suck it up and get it done.  Now if she is in fact suffering from a medical condition, I am sure that it is not being aided by her drinking, drug use, and late night activities.  You can’t cause yourself trouble and then use it as an excuse to not show up and do what you are supposed to do.

Of course she will be given another chance and the deposition will be rescheduled.  Although there are reports that she will be cited for contempt of court if she fails to show up again, I doubt that would happen.  She has a way of manipulating everyone it seems.

Britney Spears, Kevin Federline

According to TMZ, the court has ordered that Britney Spears shall not receive visitation with her two sons until she fully complies with all of the court orders in her ongoing custody dispute with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

The order from the commissioner stated only, “Petitioner’s visitation with the minor children is suspended pending Petitioner’s compliance with the court order.” TMZ is reporting that emergency hearing, called by Kevin Federline’s attorney Mark Kaplan, specifically addressed the issue that Britney had not given her contact information to the people in charge of conducting her random drug tests. Without that contact information, the testing cannot be coordinated.

This seems like such a simple thing to do: give your information to the drug testing people. It is either a case of Britney not caring or of her simply being too out of it to understand the simple tasks that she must complete. The judge does seem to be a little harsh, though, in suspending her visitation over this. My guess is that there is something more to the ruling. He likely thinks that she intentionally did not give her contact information and is evading drug tests. That is certainly more serious than forgetting to give contact information.

It seems like they are in court every week for this custody battle and they will, in fact, be back in court next week on October 26th. Both Britney and Kevin were actually ordered to appear in person at that court date. Let’s hope Britney doesn’t oversleep again and makes it to court on time.

Britney Spears, child custody, Kevin Federline

Britney Spears finally showed up to court yesterday regarding the custody battle for her two sons. She was expected to arrive in the morning, but did not get to court until late afternoon. This despite the fact that the hearing was called by her and her attorneys in order to improve her visitation rights.

Despite what is being called “apalling” testimony by Britney Spears in court on Thursday, she has been granted overnight visitation with her sons. The visitation will still remain supervised, however, as Britney did not get all of the demands that she had requested.

According to TMZ, Britney’s testimony lasted approximately forty minutes and during that time she was sarcastic and rude toward the judge. Her testimony was allegedly so bad that lawyers for Kevin Federline sat quietly throughout it and did not feel the need to object to anything that was said.

I really wish that I could a transcript of the hearing in order read what she actually said. However, it can be difficult to discern from a transcript someone’s tone or demeanor. It is frustrating to only have TMZ’s interpretation of how she acted, without anything to rebut it.

Obviously it had to be better than “appalling” if the judge actually at least partly sided with her. If she were really condescending and rude, I do not think she would be getting overnight visitation with her children. Hopefully Britney will have the sense to keep her visitation behind closed doors and stop parading the kids in front of the paparazzi.

This is certainly not the end of the Britney-Kevin custody battle and we will continue to bring you updates as the they become available.

EDITED TO ADD: Britney is reportedly headed to court now, albeit several hours too late. Will report on what happened as soon as information becomes available.

Britney Spears had her attorney request an emergency court hearing for today in order to revisit the issue of visitation in her ongoing custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline. Britney wanted to obtain more visitation and to try to get the court to allow her unsupervised and overnights visits with her two sons.

Despite the fact that Britney was the one that called for the hearing, she did not show up to court. Reports are circulating that she overslept after taking a sleeping pill for insomnia the night before. You would think that for something so important she would have set five alarms and had one of her “people” wake her up in time for the hearing. Unless she is completely passed out and unable to be roused? How can she really expect the judge to take her seriously when she cannot even be bothered to show up to court?

In Britney’s absence, the judge rejected her petition for extended visitation, but ordered the attorneys for both sides to work out the issue. The attorneys spent time today at the courthouse trying to reach a decision, but the parties have since left the courthouse.

Typically in a child custody case, for the sake of the children, the court is often hesitant to continue to make changes to the custody and visitation orders. The children need stability in their lives and the constant change is not good for them. It is different in situations like this case, though, where the custody situation seems temporary and will probably change back to joint custody if Britney gets her act together. The weekly trips to court, though, are not the way to go. Britney needs to take a month and get herself together so that there will be plenty of positive things to show the judge.

Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, child custody

According to TMZ, Britney Spears reportedly took, and passed, a drug test over the weekend. The drug and alcohol screenings are part of the judge’s order in her custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

Britney has also been reportedly meeting with her parenting coach in order to better her parenting skills. She is allowed visitation with her two sons, but Kevin retains full custody.

The parties will next appear in court on October 25th and Britney has to appear in court or she could face contempt charges from the judge, as it would violate his court order.

Hopefully this is the start of Britney turning things around.  Perhaps she really does want to get her children back and is starting to see the error of her ways.

At the latest court hearing the in the Britney Spears/Kevin Federline custody battle yesterday, the judge ordered Britney to appear at the next court hearing on October 26. Britney was not in court yesterday, allowing her attorney to appear on her behalf.

After the three hour court hearing the judge also ordered that Kevin will keep custody of the children, but that Britney can have visitation with her two sons.

What I do not understand is why Britney would fail to show up to court. If I were the judge that would show me that she was not invested in the proceedings and did not have a strong interest in getting her children back. Britney certainly did not avoid court because she did not want to face the media because she has been seen gallivanting all over town with the paparazzi following her. In fact, inside the courthouse may be the one place that she could go and not be photographed. Maybe that is why she hasn’t gone to court: she doesn’t want to be out of the public eye for even a few hours.

There was a report yesterday that Britney had re-entered a rehabilitation facility in order to get her children back, but that rumor was found to be untrue. I do not think that Britney is in the head space right now to be contemplating rehab. She is too busy going out and partying to worry about her own welfare, or that of her children. I think that the kids are in good hands with Kevin for now.

Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, child custody

Britney Spears has lost custody of her children. Judge Scott Gordon of the Los Angeles County Superior Court issued an order today granting full custody to Kevin Federline, effective this Wednesday at noon.

The parties were just in court about weeks ago and the judge at that time ordered a 50/50 custody arrangement and ordered Britney Spears to attend parenting classes and to take random drug tests.

The judge did not give the reason for today’s ruling, giving custody to Kevin, but there are several possible reasons. Britney may have failed a drug or alcohol test. The judge could be reacting to Kevin’s lawyer’s proclamation that Britney has been driving her car, with the children present, without a valid California license, which could put them in danger.

Although this new order is obviously decimating to Britney, it is probably what is in the best interest of the children, which is the standard used in family court. Since the judge’s order for Britney to get her act together, she has not spent quiet time with her children, but rather has been seen taking them all over town and subjecting them to the paparazzi.

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Although Britney Spears has maintained joint custody of her two young sons with Kevin Federline, she is going to need to do some work if she wants it to stay that way.

The judge at the center of the custody dispute made findings that Britney has abused both drugs and alcohol. As part the custody agreement, she is going to have to submit to drug and alcohol testing, as well as attend parenting classes.

Earlier this week, a former bodyguard submitted an affidavit that revealed that he saw Britney abuse drugs and alcohol. That affidavit was not challenged.

The standard for child custody cases is what is in the best interest of the children. Certainly it would be best for the boys to have both their mother and their father in their lives. However, it is also in their best interest to have a sober mother who can properly care for them.

Hopefully the judge will keep a close eye on Britney’s progress and ensure that she is doing what is best for her children.

Britney Spears, Kevin Federline, child custody