Judge honored as a leader in domestic violence cases

Published 1:33 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Dennis Box, The Courier-Herald

Judge James Helbling is living proof a few good people can make a difference.

Ardith DeRaad of the Alliance Against Domestic Violence presented an award of appreciation to the Bonney Lake municipal judge on April 13 at the City Council meeting for his work in domestic violence cases.

"Judge Helbling gets up at all hours of the night at great personal sacrifice to sign protection orders," DeRaad said. "He is a model we need to recognize."

Helbling has authorized the police department to call him at any time in a domestic violence incident.

"Basically it comes down to signing no-contact orders in domestic violence cases," Helbling said. "The police call me and give me the facts of the case. I order the police department to give a no-contact order. It prevents contacting the alleged victim in any way until they come into court. They will be in court for the arraignment, then I make a decision whether to leave the order in place."

DeRaad said the judge, along with the Bonney Lake Police Department and City Council, have worked together to confront the problem of domestic violence.

"The whole community in Bonney Lake is doing a good job," DeRaad said. "It takes a lot of community support like this."

In October, Helbling attended a domestic violence panel put on by the Alliance Against Domestic Violence. The panel includes both victim and convicted abusers as speakers.

"It was interesting to watch the faces of the victims and the perpetrators," Helbling said. "The lecturers were all people who had first-hand knowledge of domestic violence. I feel it really enhanced my ability to deal with domestic violence cases."

Judges throughout Pierce County, including Helbling, order offenders to attend one of the panel discussions. There is a panel in Fife and Sumner.

DeRaad noted that the panel is completely paid for with funds raised by the Alliance Against Domestic Violence. The perpetrators that are court ordered to attend the panel must pay $30, which is placed into a separate victims fund.

The panels are open to the public by reservation.

For more information call 253-798-4774.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald