San Francisco Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi's attempt to reconnect with his wife and 2-year-old son was denied by a court Thursday.
Judge Susan Breall rejected the former San Francisco supervisor's appeal to lift an order barring him from contact with his family pending a trial on domestic dispute charges.
Mirkarimi, 50, will go on trial Feb. 24 on three misdemeanor charges of domestic violence battery, child endangerment and dissuading a witness. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Neighbors reported witnessing an altercation between Mirkarimi and his wife, Eliana Lopez.
After Thursday's court hearing, Mirkarimi called the judge's decision "disproportionately cruel" and he said being forced to stay away from his family was "enormously crushing."
Breall explained her decision by saying it wasn't an issue a criminal court deals with. Instead she suggested that Mirkarimi and his lawyer argue the matter in front of a family court.
The judge had told Mirkarimi to do just that before Thursday's hearing.
