Hi.

I am wondering if I can use a hidden camera in my home to record events that routinely occur between my wife and myself for use as evidence in court to help show how physically and emotionally violent she is towards myself and my 2 year old daughter...

She plays a good game of appearing perfect in the company of others but behind closed doors, turns into an animal and rages at the slightest deviation from what she expects from you; the result for such minor transgretions such as setting the table with the napkin on the wrong side?: throwing heavy objects, hitting me and the child, coming at me with knives in front of the little one, threatening to and actually destroying my belongings and house fixtures, non-stop screaming and cursing at top of lungs for hours right in our ears, in other words: putting the child in harm's way...

There will be no way that anyone would believe me however without visual and auditory proof because she is an upstanding professional paralegal in NYC, has many contacts in the legal field and can appear to be the world's most perfect person to a stranger.

I hear so many things about audio recording laws... What about electronic journal entries? I have been audio recording her for years and attaching them to a diary that I keep of life (all fights included). I have heard that this is both allowed and disallowed by various people... What form of evidence can I gather that IS admissible in the courtroom to both go after custody and to help in any divorce settlements and/or criminal/civil actions? I want to buy several nanny cams and place them in common areas of the house and then I'd have my proof, but will it be allowed in court?

Also, I had to call the police on her several times a few years ago in NYC and she was arrested. She stole those papers from me and destroyed them a while back so I have lost proof of this ever happening. Do the police keep records forever and can they be asked to go back in their files to find proof. It would help to show that she has been this way for a long time and is a repeat offender...

I know that the court system is usually favorable towards the women, but I am a Mr. Mom who is raising the child and we both are being battered by a violent mom (It's the reverse of what we normally hear about) I cannot afford the same quality legal help that she gets, so I have to make up the difference with strategy, knowledge, foresight and planning and a little help from other people.

I'm in a bad position right now: little money, law not on my side by default, she has the big guns, the big job, can win arguments with lawyers with her dizzying intellect and makes a great first impression...

Thanks for any input you can make... It's not even so much for me at this point as it is for the saftey and well being of my daughter. I would raise her with love and humility. She, with anger and selfishness... How do I make this clear to a judge when at first glance, it doesn't appear that way?