Marriage of Barton and Walsh CA4/1

I. INTRODUCTION

Philip Barton appeals from a five-year domestic violence restraining

order (DVRO) issued in favor of his wife,1 Diane Walsh, pursuant to the Domestic Violence Prevention Act (Fam. Code, § 6200 et seq.). On appeal, Barton claims the trial court erred by shortening the evidentiary hearing from two days to half a day because that prevented him from presenting important evidence; and the trial judge was biased against him. Taken together, Barton asserts these actions violated his due process rights by depriving him of a fair restraining order hearing. We conclude Barton forfeited these arguments because his briefs do not comply with appellate procedural rules governing citations to both law and the trial court’s record. Therefore, it is not possible to discern how Barton arrives at his factual and legal conclusions. We therefore affirm the trial court’s order.

II. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND2

Barton and Walsh married in 2006, and had three children during their marriage. In December 2021, Barton filed a petition for dissolution. He also brought motions seeking permission to relocate with the couple’s children, and for appointment of an Evidence Code section…