Ethan Ralph's December 16th, 2020 Revenge Porn Arrest & Trial - Trial outcome: Ralph pled No Contest, was found guilty and has a 1yr suspended sentence (not probation).

[AnOminous]

This is a misdemeanor, and all misdemeanors in Virginia are a bench trial and labeled "ADJUDICATORY" in the docket.

You have the absolute right to a jury trial in any case where you're facing incarceration.

I doubt it, because I don't think he's going to have much content to work with.

Also he's practically a gunt guard.

 

[Haru Okumura]

The court says it was transferred to Richmond Juvenile Court with the next hearing being 10 February at 0845. Since it's a domestic charge (boyfriend-girlfriend, living together) that's where it goes now.

Ah yes, if there's any specific type of judge a predatory male with a history of felonious violence against women wants to hear his case, it's a Juvenile Court judge. A real 900-IQ play from Ethan on this one.

 

[Spectre_06]

You have the absolute right to a jury trial in any case where you're facing incarceration.

You're right. I was just passing on what the website said.

Ah yes, if there's any specific type of judge a predatory male with a history of felonious violence against women wants to hear his case, it's a Juvenile Court judge. A real 900-IQ play from Ethan on this one.

There's no choice in the matter. This is, apparently, where a situation like this goes.

 

[mindlessobserver]

How on earth did he get the transferred to Juvenile Court? Aren't both the parties here adults? That seems odd.

 

[MaskedHussar11]

Either way, looks like no jury trial today.

On the subject of Juries, I was wondering this while in the thread, and had to ask my Virginia Law buffs; can Ralph “waive” the jury in Virginia? I know in some states, you can opt to have the Judge pass ruling on a case instead of a Jury. This is supposed to be in cases where legality is murky, and only a Judge would have the proper knowledge to make a fair ruling. However, I have heard it done for cases which cast the defendant in an unfavorable light, such as domestic abuse, rape cases, etc., with the theory being that the Judge would focus more on the legal aspects of the case, and adhere more to the “without reasonable doubt” part of a trial, than a jury, who is often swayed by emotional testimonies. That would seem to be the best course for Ralph here, as you know that the prosecution is going to paint him as the Far-Right Extremist (involved with the tragedy at the Capitol, no less!) who sexually exploited a mentally unwell child. And if ever there was a case that would rouse a jury, it’s that one.

 

[AnOminous]

How on earth did he get the transferred to Juvenile Court? Aren't both the parties here adults? That seems odd.

It's this: http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/jdr/richmond/home.html
Richmond Juvenile and DOMESTIC RELATIONS Court. This frankly kind of sucks for our entertainment because records in these courts are often more confidential.

And in fact the public can't even search the docket. Possibly it can be accessed from a terminal at the courthouse itself, and apparently, people answering the phone can talk about it, or at least that the case went there.

On the subject of Juries, I was wondering this while in the thread, and had to ask my Virginia Law buffs; can Ralph “waive” the jury in Virginia? I know in some states, you can opt to have the Judge pass ruling on a case instead of a Jury.

Yes, but the prosecution can actually request a jury trial as well. This is apparently vanishingly rare in Virginia and it's safe to assume it wouldn't happen.

 

[Spectre_06]

How on earth did he get the transferred to Juvenile Court? Aren't both the parties here adults? That seems odd.

They are, yes. However because Virginia regards this as a domestic dispute the proper court apparently is the Juvenile court. I have no idea why, even the clerk was like, "Yeah, no one understand why the hell the legislature drafted that decision but here we are!" so take it as you will.

EDIT: What @AnOminous said. She just referred to it as the juvenile court.

 

[Haru Okumura]

There's no choice in the matter. This is, apparently, where a situation like this goes.

Are you saying he didn't have the choice of taking a plea before this stage and preventing this outcome? That would make it slightly less funny, since him being obstinate and ending up in an ever-worsening situation is much more entertaining and on-brand for him.

Also, I updated the OP and the thread subtitle since my account is now old enough to do so.

 

[mindlessobserver]

Well fun thing about that one. The Juvenile Court is right across the street from the city Jail, so Ralph is already halfway there . Also lol about Ethan now being tried in a court for children. You can't make this stuff up

 

[Mundane Ralph]

It's this: http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/jdr/richmond/home.html
Richmond Juvenile and DOMESTIC RELATIONS Court. This frankly kind of sucks for our entertainment because records in these courts are often more confidential.

Yes, but the prosecution can actually request a jury trial as well. This is apparently vanishingly rare in Virginia and it's safe to assume it wouldn't happen.

https://www.rva.gov/index.php/juvenile-court/general-information

 

[Spectre_06]

Are you saying he didn't have the choice of taking a plea before this stage and preventing this outcome? That would make it slightly less funny, since him being obstinate and ending up in an ever-worsening situation is much more entertaining and on-brand for him.

Also, I updated the OP and the thread subtitle since my account is now old enough to do so.

No, I'm saying the proper jurisdiction was that court to begin with.

And in fact the public can't even search the docket. Possibly it can be accessed from a terminal at the courthouse itself, and apparently, people answering the phone can talk about it, or at least that the case went there.

I talked to the clerk at the J&DR. The online docket will not be available but we can call for updates, and they will be provided. COVID has, however, also shut down observing the proceedings here as well.

 

[waffle]

View attachment 1892482

Ralph is attending a adjudicatory hearing, not a trial.

Government website explaining what this means in Virginia.

Title 12. Health

law.lis.virginia.gov

A general definition of adjudication.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/adjudication

If I had to guess, this is a hearing where a judge decides what evidence he is going to allow be a part of the case and what material facts there are in dispute. A trial is a determination of those disputed facts.

i.e. the state could say that Ralph sent the sex videos to the Mexican with criminal intent and without permission. Ralph says that he did send the videos, but he had permission, and he may also argue the revenge porn law doesn't count if the 'revenge' is being done to someone who isn't in the video. The state counters he could not have permission because Faith was in an involuntary hold and it was impossible to consent to this, and that the law would cover the Mexican as a target of revenge. Ralph counters that he had prior approval.

Thus, the judge would make the determination during this hearing 1) if the law considers this revenge porn, and 2) the only material fact in dispute is if Ralph had permission. #1 could throw out the entire case if Ralph wins, and #2 would only apply to identifying the dispute in facts. A trial is what resolves the dispute in facts and this is not a trial.


At least, that's what I think.

I read the statute you linked. That's a bench trial. Do we know Faith's whereabouts?

 

[Spectre_06]

I read the statute you linked. That's a bench trial. Do we know Faith's whereabouts?

She's in California so if she's testifying, it'll be via Zoom.

 

[KaiserBlade]

So, we gotta wait a couple more days before the shit show really begins then. Well, all the better, really. More time to gather popcorn and whatnot.

While that's happening, Ralph's going to act like he won some kind of major battle, like a damn retard.

 

[Lore Master]

So, we gotta wait a couple more days before the shit show really begins then. Well, all the better, really. More time to gather popcorn and whatnot.

While that's happening, Ralph's going to act like he won some kind of major battle, like a damn retard.

It could be well more than a couple of days. Just depends on how many cases are ahead of Ralph.

 

[L. Duse]

It's this: http://www.courts.state.va.us/courts/jdr/richmond/home.html
Richmond Juvenile and DOMESTIC RELATIONS Court. This frankly kind of sucks for our entertainment because records in these courts are often more confidential.

And in fact the public can't even search the docket. Possibly it can be accessed from a terminal at the courthouse itself, and apparently, people answering the phone can talk about it, or at least that the case went there.

Yes, but the prosecution can actually request a jury trial as well. This is apparently vanishingly rare in Virginia and it's safe to assume it wouldn't happen.

So this is like the case with Amos Yee isn't it where he is charged with possession of child porn? They said his trial will continue at December 18th but I heard nothing of it almost 2 months after the trial.

So if Yee's case is anything to go by, can I assume the same will apply to Ralph where we hear nothing about the case?

 

[AnOminous]

So if Yee's case is anything to go by, can I assume the same will apply to Ralph where we hear nothing about the case?

Only if absolutely nobody bothers to follow it.

 

[TopGunt]

One minute ago:

View attachment 1892869
Tweet | Archive

Thank you mod who put the tweet and archive up. Since I'm looking at it incognito for some fucking reason I couldn't get either.

He has deleted this tweet and a similar post he made on telegram. What are the chances he went to court drunk, had no clue what was going on, and since he was allowed to walk out he thought he won, only to be later disappointed by his lawyer explaining to him the reality of the situation.

 

[WhimsicalTrolli]

Even if he magically escapes jail or prison I doubt he will ever see his kid with would be good for both gunt and guntress and he will enjoy his declining viewer base. I don't think a jury would be okay with a fat 35-year-old felon releasing a tape of thumbing a possible drugged up 18 year old and choked her out while pregnant

 

[Mr. Manchester]

Now that I think about it, the court delaying decisions and transferring stuff might work out for the best. The longer this gets delayed the better chance covid restrictions get released and someone like @mindlessobserver can watch the hearings live.