Aria Jewett – Lawyer John Phillips Argues for Bullying Victim Before Appellate Court

Posted by Maria Mangicaro
Bullying Prevention Advocate
mangicaro829@aol.com

Published on Nov 9, 2013

Aria Jewett – Lawyer John Phillips Argues for Bullying Victim Before Appellate Court The Law Office of John M. Phillips is an award winning personal injury and wrongful death law firm. Our lawyers personally meet with and walk through the claims and trial process with clients. Our attorneys have been featured on every major network and have won many awards. We are licensed in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Find out more by contacting us at http://www.knowthelawyer.com.

Judges to decide when bully victims can get protection, after one beating or two

Jacksonville case involves attack on 8th-grade girl

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By Denise Smith Amos Wed, Nov 6, 2013 @ 7:20 pm | updated Thu, Nov 7, 2013 @ 7:19 am

Three judges in the District Court of Appeals heard arguments Wednesday about whether a bullying victim must wait for a second, or “repeat,” bullying instance before they or their parents can seek a protective injunction in civil court to keep the bully away from the student.

Also in question was whether a lower-court judge’s prior decision to ban a bully from attending any public school should remain reversed.

The appeal is the latest step in the legal case of Aria Jewett, a former Oceanway Middle School student who last spring was brutally beaten by a female classmate who bashed her head against a stone wall as the attack was videotaped. Initially, doctors suspected Aria suffered a skull fracture but have since downgraded her diagnosis to brain trauma.

Both girls, 8th graders at the time, now attend different high schools out of state. But their case goes on.

In May, Circuit Judge Henry Davis banned the girl accused of assaulting Aria from attending any Duval County school, not just her own. The ruling was part of a protective injunction sought by Aria’s mother, Melissia Thomas.

Later, a court overturned Davis’ ruling, saying he didn’t have authority to deny schooling to a student; that was the superintendent’s purview.

Wednesday’s appellate arguments looked at a different facet of the case. Most of the judges’ questions had to do with how many assaults must occur before a court can award a protective injunction forbidding contact between a bully and his or her victim.