Chapter 6 - My Own Slap
I received a misdemeanor summons.
So did Linda.
Different cases.
Linda’s involved striking a four-year-old.
Mine involved striking an adult after immediate danger had ended.
My attorney said:
“Do not explain your act with the words ‘mother instinct.’”
“Why?”
“Because instinct is not a legal defense.”
Correct.
I entered a diversion program.
No prior record.
One slap.
No continuing assault.
Community service.
Anger-management course.
Successful completion:
dismissal.
Linda’s case resolved differently.
Because Ethan was four and facial strike followed her taking his property, prosecutors treated it more seriously.
Still no felony.
No major injury.
She eventually pleaded to a misdemeanor assault-related offense.
Probation.
Parenting/anger counseling.
No unsupervised contact with Ethan during probation unless both parents agreed and therapist supported.
Ryan was furious.
Not because Linda had done nothing wrong.
Because:
“Mom is fifty. This could affect her record.”
I answered:
“She slapped a preschooler.”
He said:
“You slapped her.”
“Yes.”
“Then why does she get probation?”
“Ask the prosecutor.”
Consequences are not family bargaining.
May you like
That lesson would come up repeatedly.
────────────────────
