Did Punishment Fit Child Abuse Crime?

Re “This Just In, Judge: There’s No Cultural Defense for Child Abuse” column, April 28:

I am one of Judge James O. Perez’s five sons. Before you start making judgments about my dad and blasting them out to thousands of readers, you should have done some research.

First, the injury was a single burn to the outside of a single finger requiring only a Band-Aid.

Second, did you look at the guilty-plea form to see if there was additional punishment beyond the $100 fine? The defendant was placed on four years of formal supervised probation and can have no contact with the minor unless approved by the Dependency Court. The defendant also had to attend and successfully complete a one-year child batterer’s treatment program.

Third, have you checked into my father’s background? He was the son of a miner, born in Arizona, served our county in WWII, came home, went to college and law school, and became the first Spanish-speaking judge in Orange County.

You should be ashamed of yourself for making such a bold assertion about my father staying retired without doing adequate research. Being a columnist and not looking into the facts is simply unprofessional and dangerous. Print this; my dad deserves it.

Joe T. Perez

Laguna Beach

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Re “Burning Son’s Hand Gets Dad $100 Fine,” April 27:

My stomach absolutely turned while reading the story of the father who burned his son’s hand. Giving this man a $100 fine for punishing his son and citing “customs and habits” was a grave injustice.

What’s next, a father getting a slap on the wrist for punishing a daughter who was unwilling to enter into an arranged marriage by killing her?

People who choose to live in the United States must understand that they have to abide by our laws, our “customs and habits.” Did the Soto family ever notice that their friends and neighbors were most likely not burning their children’s’ hands as punishment?

By choosing to respond with such a violent and unnecessary act, I wonder if the Sotos are now going to see the cycle repeat if their son has children one day. After all, the father was punished in this manner when he was a small child. Perhaps the Sotos need to enroll in a parenting class to better acquaint themselves with the “customs and habits” of parenting in the United States. As an elementary school teacher who sees the results of different “customs and habits” on a daily basis, I urge them to seek out assistance. As a parent, I beg them to do so.

R. Strong

Santa Ana

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The idea of fining a man $100 for abusing his child is unbelievable. The idea that Judge Perez actually stated that this will help the child down the road is absurd. A father from a different country with different customs and habits does not have a right to abuse his child.

I guess I am unaware of a culture that excuses child abuse because that is its custom. This is why the United States has child abuse laws that Perez should be enforcing instead of allowing this man to continue abusing this boy. What punishment will be given out the next time the father thinks his son did something wrong?

The judge should be removed from the bench and the father should have been given the sentence he deserved.

Christine O’Brien

San Clemente

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There is a positive side to this sad event. Perez is a pro tem judge and can be dismissed at will. Put his feet to the fire and let him go.

Zane W. de Arakal

Irvine