If you see someone hit a child can you legally intervene?

Battlerattle06

Yes, you call the police.

REB20072

You can only intervene if you really believe they are doing something way more then disciplining. You better be positive you are right and be ready to prove it, because any court would side with the parent in a heartbeat. If the parent is found to be in the right, they will likely sue.

.45 Peacemaker

Depends on what you mean by hit, if you mean a simple spanking I wouldn't mess with it, but a slap or a kick whether it's leagal or not I'm going to step in

herbie36f

There is a such thing as a "Citizens Arrest".

Loss Leader

Probably not. Self defense is hard enough to get right, defense of others is just near impossible. In some states, defense of others is hardly even allowed.

Note the parent's appearance, try to follow them to get a license plate from the car, then just call the police. The legal and physical danger to you is just not worth it.

GreasySideburns

depends, if the kid is bleeding and covered with bruises then you should really think about intervening.

Bobby

lisa

Yes, by calling the police and letting them handle it.

fm21

depnding on the situation if they violently hit or especially kick them then yes, but if they are discipling them and have a right to i don't think you can

dale621

well u can say sometihng to the parent but other than that no u cant but u can call the deprtment of childrens services adn report them adn theyll investicate itu may call the police and tell them hey so n so is beating there kid adn u need to prove the beating is the parent slaping the kid in fave or did she just swat the kid on the a s s , but if she or he is physically beating the child then yes step in adn beat there *** like they did the kid

matthewpenkala

Legally speaking - it depends on if it's hitting/kicking or spanking. It also depends on where you are/live.

Example - In Virgina - Any adult who does not intervene when they see someone over 18 hit someone under 18 may face prosecution.

So in some places if you don't intervene, you can be in trouble.

Moderate spanking is legal in most states, but physical discipline may land you with criminal charges if there are any marks or bruises.

Check the link below, then click your state for more related information.

Matt

goober_head_13

No, you can report them to social services though, but use some common sense. For example if they are spanking the kid, they have that right as a parent no matter what you think. Abuse on the other hand is another issue, however stepping in is probably a good way to get your but kicked. If it is that bad, call the police, but you should know that in most states if the police are called to a domestic disturbance they have to take someone to jail even if you don't want them to go.

Bent

A hit/slap I would mind my own business, but a punch/kick, come on, I would drag them to social services by their hair.

abfabmom1

My guess is that it depends on the local laws where you are.

You should be able to either do a citizen's arrest (which probably gets kinda tricky with the child there), or serve as a witness after the police (or children's services) have been called about the incident.

babyqueen2707

i think so but i have to ask my dad
he's a lawyer

quarterton2001

I agree with most of the others; there is considerable risk associated with any direct intervention.

Perhaps, I would react more aggressively, if others at the scene concurred and participated in the intervention.In that case, it wouldn't be me alone having to defend a subjective option. Moreover, I would also have others to share the risk and expense of any potential downside.

Mattewpenkala provided an excellent link which reflects the vast differences in the different states perspective. No one answer alone, fits all the different states; for example, compare Oregon to Oklahoma

meanalotacus

you can video tape it or take pictures of this happening, then you take the pictures to the police dept. and dept of human resources. if it is real bad let the people see you usually that will make it stop for the moment then go to the phone and call 911.

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