Last month, Chivas Whipple, the Dean of Students at Youngstown City Schools, was arrested and charged with domestic violence when he allegedly slammed his daughter into a car. He has pleaded not guilty, although a security camera recorded much of the incident. 

If you find yourself in a situation where you're in legal trouble after losing your temper with your child, the Lento Law Firm Criminal Defense Team can help. You can call us at 888-535-3686 or use our online contact form. 

A Father Confronts His Daughter 

According to the police report, the alleged incident occurred during the early morning hours of February 24. The altercation stemmed from the fact that Whipple got upset that his daughter didn't tell him where she was. She was supposed to stay with her mother that night, but because the mother hadn't yet returned from a trip, she allowed the daughter to stay with her boyfriend. 

The daughter told police that Whipple got out of his car, grabbed her, then “threw [her] around.” Police state that nearby security camera footage of the event showed that Whipple approached his daughter while yelling at her. Then he grabbed her by her shirt and slammed her into a car in the driveway. The impact was severe enough to cause a dent in the vehicle.  

The video footage also appears to show Whipple putting his arm on his daughter's throat while he continued yelling at her. He eventually hit her in the face, so she fell to the ground, then started approaching his daughter's boyfriend and yelling at him. 

After the police arrived, they arrested Whipple. They later charged him with domestic violence and released him on bond. A condition of his release was that he must take anger management classes and return to court on March 14.  

Child Discipline Versus Domestic Abuse 

Like most other states, New Jersey gives parents discretion in disciplining their children. For example, corporal punishment is legal, but if it's excessive or inflicts unnecessary pain (physical or emotional) on the child, it could be considered child abuse, which is a form of domestic violence in the state. But what exactly constitutes “unnecessary” or “excessive?” That's a good question, as one parent's definition will likely differ from another parent's. 

A court of law will decide if Whipple's actions constituted domestic violence; the damage has already started. For instance, Whipple's employer has already placed him on paid administrative leave after learning of the criminal charge and video footage. 

A Legal Defense for Domestic Abuse Charges  

Getting charged with domestic abuse can lead to severe criminal penalties if convicted. This isn't a legal matter you should handle on your own, especially given the latitude courts have in deciding what constitutes child abuse or corporal punishment. 

If you've been charged with domestic violence in New Jersey, call the Criminal Defense Team of the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686. If it's more convenient, you can also contact us using our online contact form.