Chrissy Fowler noted, and Melody Ball responded, regarding an incident
at a dance, in which a dancer requested organizers' assistance regarding
a restraining order against another dancer.
As a preface, I am not a lawyer -- they won't even let me play one on
TV. BUT....
This is something way over the heads of organizers to deal with. Court
orders (assuming one actually exists) are full of details to which
outsiders are not privy, and should be reviewed by those with the
experience and authority to enforce them, such as the local police or
sheriff. In this case, I feel the proper course of action is to request
that the complaining woman call the local authorities, and let the
parties involved sort it all out.
The only responsibility of the organizers should be to assure the safety
of the participants at the dance (including the two disputing parties)
until competent assistance arrives.
Pitfalls to the layperson (including dance organizers):
a. Is there actually a restraining order in existence? What are its
provisions as to locations, times, conditions, responses, remedies, etc.?
b. What was the fine print in the purported restraining order about
required and/or prohibited conduct on the part of the woman?
c. What if the man had been at the dance first, claiming to not know she
was coming? What are your responsibilities to him, as a paying customer?
d. Could a woman purposefully follow a man and press charges if he was
already at the dance and she came within the restricted distance from
him? What liability could the dance organizers face if he felt they
assisted in a persecution?
The list goes sadly on and on, in our unfortunately litigious society.
Paul Marsh (never restrained in expressing uninformed opinions)
Weare, NH
