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Va. appeals court overturns belt discipline conviction, saying ‘parental privilege’ usurped

Neal Augenstein | naugenstein@wtop.com

May 3, 2022, 1:23 PM

Virginia’s Court of Appeals has overturned the conviction of a mother found guilty of assault and battery for disciplining her 12-year-old twins with a belt, after the panel said the trial judge overstepped her authority in suggesting she should have chosen a different punishment.

“Virginia, like every other state, permits parents to discipline their children with corporal punishment,” wrote the three-judge panel in an opinion published Tuesday. “This ‘parental privilege’ excuses what would otherwise be battery in the ordinary course.”

To fall within the “parental privilege” justification, “discipline must be reasonable and not excessive,” according to the opinion.

Tina Dione Woodson was convicted in Hanover County of assault and battery after disciplining her 12-year-old twins with a belt. While each child had a minor bruise or mark afterward, neither was seriously injured.

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Neal Augenstein
Neal Augenstein has been a reporter at WTOP since 1997. Through the years, Neal has covered many of the crimes and trials that have gripped the region. Neal's been pleased to receive awards over the years for hard news, feature reporting, use of sound and sports.

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