Judge JoAnn Johnson
Court: Ventura County Superior Court (Matrimonial & Family Division)
Location: Ventura County, California
Judge JoAnn Johnson has faced severe criticism for misapplying the Hague Convention in international custody cases—particularly, the controversial deportation order in Bichanich v. Young (Aug. 30, 2024). Despite evidence of abuse, including the mother’s protective actions and the children’s strong ties to Jordan, Johnson ordered the return of three U.S.-born children to Italy.
Richard Luthmann, calling the ruling a dangerous precedent, noted it “sides with optics and treaty compliance over child safety.” A viral Frank Report investigation echoed those findings, exposing a judge who “ignored abuse allegations” and prioritized formal technicalities over welfare.
Legal experts warn this decision will influence future Hague decisions nationwide—prompting calls for judicial review of her Hague interpretations, especially where abuse is present. Critics argue the ruling embodies a trend of systemic bias against mothers and pro se litigants in California family courts.
🔗 ALWD‑Style Citations
-
Richard Luthmann, Hague Convention Misused? U.S. Mom’s Kids Deported to Italy, Substack (Aug. 2024), https://luthmann.substack.com/p/hague-convention-misused-us-moms
-
Frank Report, Mother Loses Hague Convention Custody Battle, Aug. 30, 2024, https://frankreport.com/2024/08/30/hague-convention-custody-battle-us-moms
-
Richard Luthmann, Sara Young Fights Back After Judge Johnson’s Ruling, Substack (April 2025), https://luthmann.substack.com/p/foreign-filth-and-squalor-sara-young
