Chapter 24 - The protection order
The criminal no-contact condition was temporary.
Before it expired, I sought a civil protective order focused on Piper.
Not permanent ban from every family event.
Narrow.
Evidence:
Repeated covert photography.
Threatening Piper with loss of home.
Attempt to use Piper’s movements to undermine her credibility.
Current family hostility.
Celeste opposed.
She argued:
No physical threat.
No post-arrest contact.
No continued photography.
She had complied.
True.
Her lawyer said:
“A civil order should prevent danger, not punish past conduct already addressed criminally.”
Strong argument.
Piper’s therapist, Rachel Voss, submitted a limited statement:
Piper remained anxious about being photographed or confronted by Celeste.
Unexpected contact could destabilize progress.
No diagnosis requiring permanent cutoff.
Judge granted:
One-year limited no-contact order regarding direct unscheduled contact with Piper.
No photographing Piper without my consent.
No using third parties to obtain information about Piper’s location.
Family events possible only by advance agreement with clear separation.
No restriction preventing Celeste from contacting me through counsel for legitimate legal matters.
No order involving Jenna beyond her parents’ arrangements.
Then Celeste requested one condition:
I not photograph or record Jenna without Andrew’s consent except ordinary family contexts.
Andrew supported.
I agreed.
Reciprocity where reasonable.
Then the judge asked:
“Mr. Hale, do you intend to exclude Celeste from every Morgan family event?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because Piper may someday want something different.”
Celeste looked at me.
No gratitude.
None needed.
May you like
The order was about current safety.
Not eternal moral judgment.
