By C1 Staff
SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The victim of a domestic abuse trial ended up in jail herself after she refused to testify in court.
WFTV reports that Seminole County Judge Jerri Collins found the unnamed woman in contempt of court after she refused to appear when the father of her child was charged with choking her in front of their child.
The man, who received a 16-day sentence, was charged with placing his hands around the woman’s neck and choking her, then grabbing a kitchen knife. The abuser has a past domestic violence conviction.
The woman was sentenced to three days in jail after she refused to show up to court, regardless of being subject to a court order.
Former Chief Judge Belvin Perry said that though some may see a contempt charge as re-victimizing the woman, the law is the law.
“By not showing up and ignoring the court’s order, you limit yourself as to your possible choices and outcomes,” Perry said.