Ciara Loses Big to Future in Custody War

Ciara got shot down in a big way in custody court Monday ... TMZ has learned.

Sources connected to the former couple say Ciara showed up in court asking for sole custody of their 1-year-old son, baby Future. She claimed Future was a bad parent who was not present in the child's life. We're told she and her lawyer also trash talked Future to the judge, saying he was a bad person.

For his part, Future showed up and asked for joint custody, and the judge was squarely on his side, rejecting her arguments.

California courts favor joint custody, so the decision was in line with the law.

We got Ciara leaving court, and she was mum.

It's been a bitter battle since baby Future was born. She's filed a $15 million defamation lawsuit against him. The case is ongoing.