Grandmother Arrested For Slapping Teenager

[InformationGeek]

Hmm... I'm thinking that I'm going to side with the grandmom on that.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/mostpop/story.aspx?storyid=130961&provider=top

[AndyC]

So, if the kid had been younger, the police would have considered it corporal punishment and not arrested her grandmother. Because she's 18 and considered an adult, slapping her is battery. Am I the only one who finds that completely illogical? Anybody with a brain knows it's not domestic battery.

Makes me long for the days when cops on the street had some latitude in how they dealt with situations. Now there are just policies and procedures, so nobody has to think about what they're doing. It also ensures that nobody takes responsibility when something stupid happens. Notice how the police spokesman just cites the mandatory arrest policy. That's the bureaucratic equivalent of shrugging and mumbling "Don't look at me."

And in the end, the taxpayers pony up because nobody is willing to take responsibility or delegate it to any front-line employees. Arrest 'em all and let the court sort 'em out.

[3mnkids]

hm, well this is an interesting case. While I feel for the grandmother she did smack her. I dont think you can legally smack a smaller child in the face either. Corporal punishment usually involves spanking on the butt, not smacking in the face.

I understand why the cops arrested her. From the article...

"If an officer on scene finds probable cause to arrest a person, because they've committed domestic battery, then our policy is a mandatory arrest of that person," said Lt. Loux, "The discretion does not come because the victim does not want to prosecute.  It doesn't come because the victim has remorse for calling police

How many woman who are battered by their husbands beg and cry not to have their husbands arrested? lots of them. Its up to the police to just do it. Where do they draw the line? Arrest the husband but not granny? When you have police officers picking and choosing who they are going to arrest based on whether or not the like the person, and lets be honest, everyone likes grandmothers, there is going to be a BIG problem.

More than likely the charges will be dropped against the grandmother and hopefully the family can work on getting back to being respectful of one another.

[Rev. Powell]

To me, what this really reveals is the insanity of laws that make it illegal to use common sense.  Everyone agrees domestic violence is a problem, but "no tolerance" policies like these insure that there will be injustices.   

[3mnkids]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/charges-dropped-against-largo-grandma-who-slapped-teen/1092557

LARGO — On Monday night, Theresa Collier went to bed with a cloud hanging over her head: the possibility of prosecution for slapping her granddaughter after the teenager spewed profanities at her in an argument over unfinished homework.

But by Tuesday evening, after a shock jock and a well-known lawyer intervened, the 73-year-old grandmother of four was free to return to her summer home in New Hampshire this week.

According to filings with the Pinellas clerk of courts, the domestic battery charge against Collier has been dropped.

The story that has struck nerves around Tampa Bay and sparked debate over parents' rights to discipline their children was nudged toward this conclusion after Tampa-based radio personality Bubba the Love Sponge Clem connected Collier with lawyer Kevin Hays­lett, who has represented such high-profile clients as former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Dwight Smith and Nick Bollea, the son of retired pro wrestler Hulk Hogan.

I HATE bubba the love sponge! Im happy the grandmother doesnt have this hanging over her head anymore but bubba... ewww. 

[BTM]

Man, I thought most people instinctively try not to say the F word around their grandparents.  I must be getting old...