OC Judge Kimberly Carasso Threatens Mistrial, Sanctions, Contempt and Striking Expert Witness Testimony After Investigative Article on Nolan Case

Feb 04, 2025

A judicial controversy has emerged in the high-profile Tar Nolan case following an investigative article published on January 27. Allegedly, Judge Kimberly Carasso lost composure in the courtroom on January 31, 2025, after this reporter attempted to access the hearing remotely via OC Superior Court’s public video links, and subsequent email to the court clerk. In response, Carasso reportedly threatened a mistrial, severe financial sanctions, contempt charges, and striking expert witness testimony, allegedly citing media coverage as the cause. This response is particularly noteworthy given the parties’ high-profile social media presence.

This reporter previously reported on the Nolan case, readers can find the initial story here: Injustice in OC: Mom of “Tar’s Road to Recovery” Faces Prolonged Separation from Her Kids, part two, January 27: Update: “Tar’s Road to Recovery” Mom Bullied by OC Minors’ Counsel in Fight Over Special Needs Trust and part three, January 31, Orange County Judges Block Public and Media from Court Hearings.

Allegations Against Judge Carasso

According to sources, Judge Carasso, who had been considering reunification between Tar Nolan and her children, abruptly reversed course January 31, after denying this reporter’s attempt to access the hearing remotely, and following this reporters email to the court clerk shortly thereafter, Carasso allegedly screamed and threatened Tar Nolan’s attorney, Marie Gray, with over $20,000 in sanctions, along with contempt charges, mistrial and striking expert witness Dr. Victoroff’s testimony.

Judge Carasso reportedly demanded to know who leaked information about the case, focusing blame on Tar Nolan and her attorney, Marie Gray. The parties have been ordered back to court this Friday to submit legal briefs on the mistrial, contempt, expert witness, and sanctions issues.

The Alleged "Leak" and ADA Controversy

The issue Carasso appears to be targeted on involves Minors' Counsel Barbara Fritz and Bettina Yanez. Specifically, as previously reported, sources indicated:

Barbara Fritz opposed the children testifying.
Bettina Yanez was requesting to bar Tar Nolan’s ADA caregiver from the courtroom, despite OC Superior Court approving Nolan’s ADA accommodation request.

Sources allege that Yanez formally requested the caregiver’s removal last week, forcing Nolan to rely on a backup caregiver —who was fortunately present at the time.

Background on the Case

This high-profile contested divorce and custody case has drawn national attention due to the parties’ social media presence (local and national), family court efforts to suppress, and now exposed alleged legal and ethical implications.

Tar Nolan, a mother of three surviving children, suffered a catastrophic car accident in 2020 that left her quadriplegic. The accident tragically claimed the life of their youngest child, Micki Valentine Nolan (age 3).

Since the accident, Tar Nolan has become a public figure, advocating for disability rights and inspiring hundreds of thousands.

In silence, Tar has been fighting for reunification with her children amid allegations from her ex-husband, Jimmy Nolan.

The case has been fraught with heated allegations from both sides. Public court records reveal that Tar is contending with significant misrepresentations, due process violations due to prolonged delays in obtaining a hearing, and systemic bias against a disabled parent

For example, one of the reasons cited in Mr. Nolan's DVRO application—which was granted on a temporary basis 2.5 years ago, also awarding him sole custody—was based on a significant misrepresentation of an event. In his claim, he alleges:

“[Taran] rammed into Jimmy with her wheelchair and broke his foot (same foot broken in the car accident).” and “Rolled over son’s foot while attempting to leave a bar, resulting in fractured foot.”

Video evidence contradicts these claims - view the incident here: June 15, 2022 Tar falls from wheel chair on steep ramp.

Expert Legal Analysis

This journalist referred to Nadeya Lavandero, a court-qualified subject matter expert in domestic violence from Right to Protect, to review the video of the June 15, 2022, incident and subsequent allegations made by Mr. Nolan in his DVRO request. Here is her response:

“I reviewed the video of the incident that took place on June 15, 2022, and what has been alleged by Mr. Nolan is in no way evidenced by this video. Their son was nowhere near Ms. Nolan’s wheelchair when she exited the establishment outside where Mr. Nolan and the children met her. At no point, prior to Ms. Nolan falling out of her wheelchair as she attempted to make it down an incline that appears to have been too steep, did their son give any indication that his foot had been run over by Ms. Nolan’s wheelchair, let alone broken. It wasn’t until Ms. Nolan experienced an unfortunate tumble, forward out of her wheelchair, that the children showed any signs of distress; at which time they are clearly crying out in fear and concern for their mother and not of their mother.”

“Mr. Nolan’s misrepresentation of this event is grossly dishonest and malicious, and indicative of a pattern of behavior of a domestic abuser. Furthermore, Mr. Nolan’s significant misrepresentation of this event calls into question the credibility of other claims of abuse and maltreatment made against Ms. Nolan, especially given her current physical condition.”

“Because Domestic Violence is defined as ‘a pattern of abusive behavior’ used by a batterer to gain and maintain power and coercive control over their victim, there is a clear standard by which domestic violence is measured. Mr. Nolan’s allegations that on June 15, 2022, Ms. Nolan ‘rolled over [their] son’s foot while leaving a bar, resulting in a fractured foot,’ are not supported by the video provided and are a clear misrepresentation of the facts in order to gain an advantage over Ms. Nolan in family court and cause further harm to her through the weaponization of their children (abuse by-proxy), with zero regard for the long-term impact or harm to the children.”

Concerns Over Due Process & Judicial Retaliation

The appearance of retaliation by Judge Carasso raises grave concerns about judicial ethics, press freedom, and due process. If proven, her actions could constitute First Amendment retaliation and a violation of judicial impartiality.

Additionally, my email exchanges with the court clerk in Judge Carasso’s department on January 29 and 31, 2025, sought clarification on the blanket gag order imposed on all parties on January 27—an order that appears to be a direct attempt to suppress public discourse in a public case involving public figures.

What Happens Next?

The upcoming Friday hearing will determine:

Whether Judge Carasso follows through on her threats of sanctions, contempt, mistrial, and striking expert witness testimony.
If the court provides legal justification for restricting media access.
If the court provides legal justification for the blanket gag order restricting the parties.

This case continues to raise urgent questions about judicial transparency, the rights of disabled parents, and press freedom in Orange County’s family court system.

I will continue to follow this case closely. For updates, follow my reporting on NewsBreak, MuckRack, and Substack. Below, under 'Nolan Media Coverage,' you’ll find links to additional media coverage on the Nolans.

If you have had similar experiences within the California family court system, please contact this reporter ASAP.

Whistleblowers and victims of family court, CPS, probate court, foster care corruption within the US, please contact this reporter at juliea005@proton.me.

This article is made possible by donations from readers like you and can be made here. Thank you for your support!

Learn more about my ongoing investigative series uncovering corruption in California and its family court system:

OC Father Charged with 13 Felony Fraud Counts; The Victims of Jessica St. Clair, Part Six - Lies, Abuse, and Systemic Collusion

OC Man Charged with 5 Felony Counts of Molestation: Family Court and CPS Ignored Reports for Years

Whistleblowers expose the Orange County family court crisis

Whistleblowers reveal corruption in Orange County family courts and beyond

California’s Family Court Crisis: The Failure of Oversight and the Impact of Dr. Sue Tonkins

Unchecked family policing in California: cps, family court, and foster care under fire

California Family Courts: Dr. Joan Meier Exposes Bias and Systemic Failures

Orange County reunification therapist deceives courts about credentials

OC Bar Association says “I just want to protect my children” means “I just want to screw my ex”

The victims of Jessica St. Clair, part three