A Florida man accused of domestic violence has been ordered to buy his wife some flowers, take her bowling and out to dinner, and seek counseling.

Broward County (FL) Judge John "Jay" Hurley imposed the unusual order instead of setting bond because, in his opinion, the charges were minor and the defendant had no prior arrests.  According to news reports, a marital spat broke out between Joseph Bray and his wife after Bray didn't wish his wife a happy birthday.  The fight escalated into a domestic violence charge after Bray allegedly pushed his wife onto their couch and put his hand on her neck.  At the hearing, the wife stated that she was not hurt or in any fear of her husband.  

“It was a minor incident, in the court’s opinion,” Judge Hurley said. “The court would not normally do that if the court felt there was some violence but this is very, very minor and the court felt that that was a better resolution than other alternatives.  ... He’s going to stop by somewhere and he’s going to get some flowers.  And then he’s going to go home, pick up his wife, get dressed, take her to Red Lobster. And then after they have Red Lobster, they’re going to go bowling.”

Judge Hurley also ordered the couple to begin marriage counseling.

—Source:  SunSentinel.com (FL)