http://www.kveo.com/news/local/19544209.html

Parents Choices: Paddle or Pay

By Mark Nino

Story Created: Jun 4, 2008 at 4:54 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jun 5, 2008 at 8:30 AM CDT

Judge Gustavo "Gus" Garza

A spanking punishment, is being used in one Cameron County Court, where parents hare given the choice to paddle their misbehaving teens or pay a fine.

Judge Gustavo Garza at the JP courtroom in Los Fresnos, is leaving it up to parents to swat them with a paddle five times, or pay a hefty $500 dollar fine. You may be surprised to find out, most parents are choosing paddling, to stop these kids from ditching school.

Sitting in her parent's car, this teens behind, may be a little sore, after just being paddled in court. Justice of the Peace, Gustavo Garza gives parents the option to pay or paddle their truant teens using this wooden spanker.

Most parents like Olivia Vega, are choosing the swatting option. Garza says he decided to do it, as a way for parents to better discipline their kids and because of the paddling, Garza says, Los Fresnos high school has a very good attendance rate of 98%.

It's Texas law, students can't miss more than 3 days of classes, in one month, or 10 days in a 6 month period without a medical excuse.