Can You Go To Jail for Hitting Your Child?

Following years of advancement in child psychology, a significant majority of the American public no longer supports spanking as a method of punishment for children. Still, public opinion on child spanking remains divided, with many households retaining it as a form of punishment.

The law’s position on hitting children is somewhat fuzzy, which means the judges and juries play an important role in applying the law based on the given situation. If you find yourself facing a child abuse charge because you hit your child, you should consult a criminal law practitioner near you to find the best ways to resolve the situation.

But first, let’s consider the obvious question here — the question that someone would ask a child after a parent administers a slight (or grievous) dose of bodily harm to the child — “If your dad hits you, can he go to jail?” 

Well, if you’re a child and you’re reading this, the general answer is yes, your dad can go to jail if he hits you. This answer, however, depends on a number of factors, such as the severity of the hit, the injuries sustained, and the laws of the state in which the incident occurred.

Although there are established laws meant to protect children from various forms of child abuse and neglect, most states have not yet made the act of spanking children outright illegal. 

So, can you go to jail for spanking your child? Courts usually rely on local laws to determine whether parents have crossed the line between affectionate discipline and outright abuse.

American laws do not expressly outlaw child spanking. As a matter of fact, there are U.S. Supreme Court precedents that allow parents and educators significant latitude in disciplining children. In Ingraham v. Wright, 430 U.S. 651 (1977), the Supreme Court ruled that it is not unconstitutional to administer corporal punishment to children. 

Under certain circumstances, adults can be arrested for hitting their children. It concerns not only parents but also other caregivers, including nannies and relatives who have a child care authorization letter. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA), which is the federal legislative act concerning these issues, sets only minimum standards, allowing states to determine what actions can be considered child abuse.

These state laws range in severity from lax to highly restrictive. In states where the standard is highly restrictive, parents can be arrested if law enforcement determines that the parents harmed their children in any way.

Although state laws vary, the one thing they pretty much agree on is that it’s illegal to discipline children in any way that leaves them with bruises. 

However, even this is still open to interpretation by law enforcement and the courts. While minor marks might not be considered illegal, legal liability increases with the severity of the injuries. The criminal charges range from minor misdemeanors to Class A felonies. 

In Wisconsin, for instance, “intentionally causing serious harm to a child” is a Class C felony that can result in a jail term of up to 40 years, even if the incident involved one’s own child.

Is it illegal to hit your child in the face? Can you go to jail for slapping your child? The answer to this question again varies, depending on state law. In states where child abuse laws are more relaxed, it’s not likely that slapping a child alone will be considered criminal abuse. 

So, whether you can go to jail for slapping your child depends on where you live. In states where the laws are pretty strict, the risk of a slap becoming a legal issue is higher, especially if the slap leaves any marks on the child.

Is it illegal to hit your child with a belt? The law doesn’t explicitly criminalize hitting your children with a belt. However, one must understand that disciplining a child with a belt or other foreign object increases the possibility of leaving the child with bruises and other injuries. 

There’s also the matter of how a jury, which is ultimately responsible for determining whether or not an action crosses the line between discipline and abuse, will consider the nature of the action taken to discipline the child. A jury may consider the use of a belt as extreme and unnecessary, especially if bruising or other physical injury occurs. So, is whooping a child with a belt illegal? Not necessarily, but it’s also not advisable.

Corporal punishment is the forceful physical infliction of pain or discomfort as a penalty for undesirable behaviors. It can take several forms, most often spanking or forcing the child to assume an uncomfortable posture for a prolonged period.

In about 25 states, corporal punishment has been criminalized. In the other states where it hasn’t been outlawed, some states allow physical punishment only for parents, while other states allow both parents and educators to administer corporal punishment.

While corporal punishment is increasingly unpopular, there are still segments of the population who strongly believe that this method is the best way to fix bad behavior. The law doesn’t totally outlaw it yet — but hopefully, it will in the future.

That said, many states have child abuse statutes that dictate whether an action counts as lawful parental discipline or child abuse. The scope of these laws varies greatly. But in all states, leaving bruises on your child, hitting them with objects, or depriving them of important necessary amenities is more likely to be considered an unjustified use of physical force and may open you up to criminal charges.

Additionally, law enforcement is more likely to charge you with child abuse if they find your child displaying any of these symptoms or a combination of them:

These symptoms will be difficult to explain not only to law enforcement but also to a jury. More importantly, your child may suffer lasting physical, psychological, and/or emotional damage. If you believe you have no choice but to administer corporal punishment to your child, it’s highly advisable to stick to mild and reasonable actions.

It’s a personal decision whether you, as a parent, wish to use corporal punishment on your children to correct their behavioral issues. However, as discussed above, law enforcement and the courts reserve the right to determine what actions cross the line from child discipline to child abuse. 

So, what should you do if you’re faced with a child abuse claim? Consult a criminal defense attorney who is experienced in helping clients absolve themselves of criminal liability arising from their actions towards their children.