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To: nuconvert
"Why did the state feel they needed to get involved in this?"

Simple, the STATE feels people aren't smart enough to think for themselves.

I have some relatives in Florida that went through a similar situation.
The husband (my brother in-law "B") and wife (my sister "J") were arguing in the garage of their home while "J" was on the phone with our sister ("C"). "B" tried to grab the phone away from "J" and the phone slipped outta "J's" hand and broke on the concrete floor of the garage.
"C" was on the other end of the phone. She was listening to them argue and when she heard the phone crash to the floor, she assumed "B" was attacking "J", so she called the local cops.

The cops (3 squad cars) showed up with sirens wailing and lights a flashing ("C" told the cops "B" had guns in the house. He's a hunter). They w/o any warrant or permission of any kind kicked in the front door (by this time "J" and "B" had calmed down and were at the kitchen table talking) and dragged "B" out side and slammed him on the ground. This all took place in front of their (at the time) 4 year old son.

"J" explained (try to explain, they wouldn't listen) to the cops that he ("B") did not attempt to strike her that he merely grabbed the phone away and it slipped from her hand and hit the floor.

Believe me I know my sister well. Any man that attempts to strike her is in big trouble. She knows how to defend herself. I taught her a few moves in sombo and some of her previous boy friends taught her some other martial arts. In fact if "B" ever did strike "J", she'd kick the *%^# outta "B" and she'd be the one hauled off to jail.

At any rate. Even though "J" said there was no problem (they were just doing what every couple has done since the beginning of time, arguing), the cops didn't want to hear it.
"B" was arrested and "J" was threatened with arrest if she tried to interfere. Its cost my sister and her husband a couple of thousand dollars to prove that "B" wasn't beating "J". Plus it cost a few hundred more for "B" to go to the court ordered "anger management" class.

I understand how the cops and courts get frustrated with couples who constantly call the cops on each other and then don't press charges but, why pass such a stupid law that gives the cops and the STATE that right.

Here's how I believe it should be done.

Give a wife (or husband) one chance or freebie. If the cops are called to a home by say the wife and she doesn't press charges and the cops are called again to that same home for the same BS, then hand the couple a bill and make 'em pay for the cops to be there, the cost of fuel etc., etc., etc. That'll cut down on those frequent calls that result in no charges being filed.

Oh yeah it also cost them a few hundred more to get his guns back.

28 posted on 03/20/2004 7:59:43 AM PST by Mikey
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To: Mikey
So did "C" pay the legal expenses incurred by "J" and "B" because of her calling the cops?

I think it would be appropriate if she was handed the bill.

31 posted on 03/20/2004 8:18:07 AM PST by lavrenti (I'm not bad...just misunderstood.)
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To: Mikey
The one freebie theory is a good one, but what about the situations where she is threatened to keep silent or she's going to be hurt more? Plus, even though your story turned out good, most don't. And with a child being present, the cops have to take the high road and not take any chances. I'm a 911 dispatcher and have actually heard women get choked, punched, threatened while on the phone with me. These calls are not easy to forget, and never,ever, would I make the decision not to send the police. I'm not there, and neither was your other sister, she had to make her decision based on what she was hearing. Your family obviously is a close one who care about each other. Not all people are that fortunate.
43 posted on 03/20/2004 7:39:05 PM PST by Cate (Bush is da' man.)
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