Judge allows limited driving for defendant charged with aggravated assault

A Jefferson County judge granted a defense motion to modify bond conditions for Deshauna Robertson, who is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The court said it would allow Robertson to drive only for specified purposes — to go to work, take her children to school and attend medical appointments — and emphasized that all other travel remained prohibited and that Robertson must avoid any contact with the complaining witness.

The modification was contested in the sense that the court carefully limited the exception. Prosecutors told the judge they had reviewed the request and had no opposition to letting Robertson drive for the narrow reasons listed. Defense counsel said the driving was needed for regular MHMR appointments and for the defendant’s youngest child’s school travel; the prosecutor confirmed the assault involved use of a car and that the original driving condition had been added for that reason. "I'll grant the motion to modify the condition. I am going to allow you to drive," the judge told Robertson before specifying the limited purposes.

The court stressed the narrow scope of the modification and repeated that Robertson must be at home except for the permitted travel and must continue to have no contact with the complaining witness. The judge reset the case for an announcement and reminded all parties that any failure to comply with bond conditions could lead to bond changes or other sanctions. Robertson was instructed to bring any new counsel or documentation to the next date.

Why it matters: Bond conditions that limit travel are commonly used to protect public safety or victims; courts may modify those conditions when defendants demonstrate narrow, legitimate needs such as work or medical care. The judge’s order preserves the court’s safety concerns while easing immediate travel constraints for household or health reasons. The court will review compliance at the next setting.