Hand-Burning Fine Is Just, Say Public Defenders

Los Angeles Times ^ | 05-06-2002 | STUART PFEIFER

[boris]

Courts: The attorneys support a judge for his reduced charge against a man who punished his son, 5. The sentencing had infuriated many.

Members of the Orange County public defender's office have risen to the defense of a judge who reduced charges against a father accused of burning his 5-year-old son's hand over a gas flame.

To read the rest, click HERE.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

He argued that "customs and habits" reflecting cultural differences played a role in his decision

I guess if the family was from Saudi Arabia, lopping off the kid's hand with a machete would be the customary punishment for stealing, and the dad would be let off with a stern warning.

Note to all immigrants and, oh yes, judges in The United States: This is our country. You obey our rules.

[07055]

On the one hand, immigrants are help to different standards than native born and are allowed to commit child abuse. On the other hand, the native born are punished for having ancestors who violated standards that were accepted in this country 150 years ago. (ie., insuring slaves).

[GOP_Thug_Mom]

Glad to hear a judge is supporting the parent for once! The only problem is that this child has learned that he can always "override" his dad by going to the authorities, since now he knows about all of those "wonderful, benevolent" ANTI-PARENT organizations out there willing to save him...

[TaxPayer2000]

"So, what has this child learned? 'My dad can do this to me and get away with it.'"

forgive me for pointing out the obvious here, but what the child has learned is not to steal gum.

[epow]

This judge should be removed from office and then have his own hand held over a gas flame for a couple of minutes. It doesn't matter what the "habit and custom" is among savages in the Guatemalan jungle, here in the U.S. we have a "habit and custom" of throwing child abusers in prison. If holding a 5 year old's hand over a gas flame isn't felony child abuse, what would be? I have a feeling the father wouldn't have gotten off virtually scot-free in Judge Perez's court if he (the father) had been born in the USA and his name had been something like Smith or Jones.

Don't get me wrong, I believe in corporal punishment (spanking) for child disipline. I have a 5 year old grand-daughter myself. If she were caught shoplifting I would heartily approve of a good spanking. But if my son were to ever hold her hand over a gas flame, he would be extremely fortunate if the cops got to him before I did.

[NYCVirago]

Glad to hear a judge is supporting the parent for once! The only problem is that this child has learned that he can always "override" his dad by going to the authorities, since now he knows about all of those "wonderful, benevolent" ANTI-PARENT organizations out there willing to save him...

Where does it say in the article that the five-year-old went to the authorities? I must have missed that.

[epow]

You and GOP Thug Mom are both sick pupies if you think holding a 5 year old kid's hand over a gas flame is suitable punishment for AYTHING he may have done. I'm not a bleeding heart, and I don't like government usurping parental authority in most of the ways it often does. But NO 5 year old deserves to be punished by some medieval style torture.

15 years olds, weeeell, maybe in some cases, but 5 year olds, never.

[TaxPayer2000]

You and GOP Thug Mom are both sick pupies if you think holding a 5 year old kid's hand over a gas flame is suitable punishment for AYTHING he may have done. I'm not a bleeding heart, and I don't like government usurping parental authority in most of the ways it often does. But NO 5 year old deserves to be punished by some medieval style torture. 15 years olds, weeeell, maybe in some cases, but 5 year olds, never.

relax, I said nothing of the sort.

I merely stated the obvious. When that person mentioned in the article stated the only thing the child learned was that dad could get away with burning his hands, I thought perhaps the obvious had been overlooked.

The question that remains: What is a suitable punishment for the father so he will learn not to use flames as punishment?