[tpunx99GSX]

A very enlightening story, nice to see the Minnesota Court System can be effective!

Minnesota Judge gives 7 year old right to decide custody.


A seven year old boy was at the center of a county courtroom drama yesterday
when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The
boy had a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially
awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and
regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree
possible.

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more
than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge
then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said
that they also beat him..

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that
domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took
the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have
custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child
welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Minnesota
Vikings, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.