Texas Justice Must Stop Paddling
In Texas, Justice of the Peace Gustavo Garza has been ordered to temporarily cease offering paddling as an option to paying a fine for a juvenile offense. District Judge Abel Limas ruled that the option of paddling may not be offered until the issue is decided. A lawsuit was filed about the practice by the parents of a 15-year-old Los Fresnos girl who was charged with truancy. The parents claim that offering a choice to pay a fine of $500 or paddle the child in open court was not a valid choice. The justice of the peace defended the practice and claims that 98% of parents opted for paddling.
Source: http://www.newsvine.com/_news/2008/06/11/1565083-texas-justice-of-peace-must-stop-paddling-in-court
