[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/corporal-punishment-laws-in-nevada\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/corporal-punishment-laws-in-nevada\/","headline":"Is Corporal Punishment Considered Child Abuse in Nevada?","name":"Is Corporal Punishment Considered Child Abuse in Nevada?","description":"It\u2019s a fair question, right? The law is filled with inconsistencies and idiosyncrasies. So, it stands to reason that a controversial issue like corporal punishment would be anything but straightforward, especially here in Nevada. Interestingly, whether corporal punishment qualifies as … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2020-07-27","dateModified":"2025-10-29","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/author\/paul\/#Person","name":"Paul Adras","url":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/author\/paul\/","identifier":43,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/257538b886c3bb7dcb4d922af9afb2a40e893496a392e295c25b49f281f42faa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/257538b886c3bb7dcb4d922af9afb2a40e893496a392e295c25b49f281f42faa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/adras-daltig-law-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/adras-daltig-law-logo.png","width":437,"height":92}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/corporal-punishment-blog.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/corporal-punishment-blog.jpeg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/corporal-punishment-laws-in-nevada\/","about":["Criminal Defense"],"wordCount":1231,"articleBody":"It\u2019s a fair question, right? The law is filled with inconsistencies and idiosyncrasies. So, it stands to reason that a controversial issue like corporal punishment would be anything but straightforward, especially here in Nevada.Interestingly, whether corporal punishment qualifies as child abuse is often determined by who is doing it and where it\u2019s being done. Corporal punishment is a patchwork quilt of laws, varying from one state to another, according to Psychology Today, a magazine designed to make psychology more understandable for the lay public.Most states allow parents to discipline their children by spanking, which is defined as an open-handed strike with a hand to a child\u2019s buttocks. In some states, this definition of spanking is the only legal form of corporal\u00a0punishment. Others simply state that only \u201creasonable\u201d or \u201cmoderate\u201d disciplinary methods may be used.This means that some of the forms of punishment you may have experienced as a child \u2013 such as being spanked with a wooden spoon, whipped with a belt, or hit with a shoe \u2013 may no longer be legal means of disciplining children in your state.Additionally, it should be noted that if any kind of corporal punishment results in significant injury to your children \u2013 such as bruises, cuts, or an inability to sit down \u2013 then it will be considered child abuse, even if the method itself might otherwise be legal.If you are dealing with a corporal punishment matter, get to know Adras & Altig, Attorneys at Law. We\u2019re hard-nosed and practical, with the expertise and the experience to guide you through the legal process. We work as a team for your best interest. Our service area is convenient to everywhere, covering Las Vegas and nearby communities including Henderson,\u00a0Boulder City,\u00a0North Las Vegas,\u00a0Spring Valley Township,\u00a0Paradise,\u00a0Winchester\u00a0and more.What Is Corporal Punishment?In general, corporal punishment encompasses all types of physical punishment, including\u00a0spanking, slapping, pinching, pulling, twisting, and hitting with an object. It also may include forcing a child to consume unpleasant substances such as soap, hot sauce, or hot pepper.In the United States, it\u2019s legal on a federal level. The topic is hotly and widely debated by parenting experts, psychologists and parents. Fueled by news stories about child abuse, many of those opposed to corporal punishment question whether it should remain legal and what steps could be taken to reduce incidents of physical abuse to children.The American Academy of Pediatrics, which represents most of the nation\u2019s practicing pediatricians, has taken a firm stance against any type of corporal punishment.Nevertheless, paddling is still allowed in the public schools of 19 states, primarily in the South.What Is the Corporal Punishment Law in Nevada?Nevada state statutes define corporal punishment as \u201cthe intentional infliction of physical pain, including, without limitation, hitting, pinching or striking.\u201dThe Nevada Department of Public Health and Wellness adds the following additional actions:Spanking, hitting, slapping, pinching, ear pulling, jabbing, shoving or chokingForcing a child to assume a position that becomes painful over timeConfining a child in an uncomfortable spaceDenying bathroom privilegesForcing a child to eat a noxious substance, such as soap or dog foodWithholding water and foodThe agency is unequivocal in opposing the use of corporal punishment, saying that it can impair a child’s trust and confidence; spur humiliation, anger, and resentment; and cause a child to have trouble forming close relationships, especially intimate relationships, with others later in life.Instead, the agency promotes the use of distraction, time out, talking about why a certain behavior is wrong and what can be done instead, discussing values, and creating consequences for actions that are unacceptable.Positive reinforcement is suggested as a more effective alternative.In school settings, corporal punishment has been outlawed in Nevada since 1993. The law is firm on this. Corporal punishment is, however, acceptable if meted out by the child\u2019s parents with an intent to discipline. A physical attack is not classified as corporal punishment if the “attack” is used to obtain a deadly weapon from a student, stop a student from harming someone else, or in self-defense.Differences Between Corporal Punishment and Child Abuse in NevadaThe law in Nevada permits parents to discipline their children by spanking as long as\u00a0they don\u2019t cause injury to the child.\u00a0Corporal punishment is a justified discipline for unacceptable behavior. Child abuse is inflicting significant bodily injury upon a child.It is important to be cautious and restrained in using corporal punishment sparingly without great force. It\u2019s best to avoid leaving physical or emotional marks.Parents have the authority, by law, to discipline their children and can even use spanking and hitting as long as they are not frequently inflicted or so strong that they lead to injury of the child. Child abuse causes mental and physical pain. It\u2019s unpredictable and can be perpetrated by parents even when the child did not make any mistake.Corporal punishment, on the other hand, is something you can justify because it disciplines a child. Unlike child abuse, they are not done habitually. They are performed only when a child needs to learn from a mistake.Despite the evident differences, there are still many parents who do not know the difference between corporal punishment and child abuse in Nevada. They are just not aware that they have been causing too much physical and mental distress to their children. In a single recent year,\u00a027 children died due to child abuse and other related domestic violence incidents in Las Vegas and surrounding areas.This shows that child abuse is still rampant in Nevada. It can even increase as parents can mistake their abuse as an act of reasonable punishment.Defending Against Child Abuse Accusations in NevadaDefending yourself in child abuse cases is a scary thing, especially if child abuse was never your intention. But remember that you are entitled to a defense.Some the defenses and arguments that you could raise in court to challenge the legitimacy of the charges include, for example:It is only corporal punishment. With the help of certain evidence, you may be able to show that what you did was an accepted form of corporal punishment in Nevada, and that there are no evident bruises or injuries seen on the body of the child, and that the child\u2019s mental state is healthy as well.It was an accident. A child’s rowdiness can lead to accidents of their own making.For example; you may be able to establish that a child\u2019s broken arm was caused by a fall you had nothing to do with.Contact an Experienced Criminal Defense Lawyer for a Free ConsultationIf you are a parent who is accused of child abuse in Nevada, but you were merely disciplining your child through corporal punishment, defend yourself with the aid of\u00a0a Las Vegas criminal defense attorney who understands the differences between corporal punishment and child abuse.It\u2019s an important distinction, and your future may hang in the balance. If you are convicted of child abuse, you could face jail time and significant fines. When your freedom is at stake, leave nothing to chance. Align yourself with the A-team of criminal defense \u2013 Adras & Altig. In Las Vegas, we\u2019re known for results.Contact us now for a free and confidential case review."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Is Corporal Punishment Considered Child Abuse in Nevada?","item":"https:\/\/www.adrasandaltiglaw.com\/corporal-punishment-laws-in-nevada\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]