Sarah Palin’s Son Arrested For Domestic Violence
Track Palin Arrested for Assault, Misconduct Involving Weapons, Preventing Police Report
Sarah Palin’s son, Track Palin, was arrested on Monday and charged with the following:
- Assault in the 4th Degree (recklessly caused injury to another person)
- Interfering with a Domestic Violence Report
- Misconduct Involving Weapons in the Fourth Degree (possessed on him/herself, or in the interior of a vehicle in which he/she was present, a firearm when his/her physical or mental condition was impaired by intoxicating liquor or a controlled substance)
What Happened?
While mom was flying to Iowa to endorse Trump for president (an interesting story in its own right on account of it being broken by web-based reporters stalking a flight-tracking website and noticing a private jet bound from Alaska to Iowa then Tulsa, the locations of Trump’s campaign stops for those times), Track was involved in an altercation with his girlfriend of one year. The 911 caller, apparently from Track’s girlfriend, stated that a male had punched her in the face and that a firearm was somehow involved.
Track’s arresting officer states in the police report that upon the police’s arrival at the scene, Track was “uncooperative, belligerent, and evasive” with his initial line of questioning. He said he did not know where the female caller was, and stated that the caller was drunk, apparently in an effort to discredit her statements. She was later found hiding under a bed and crying, and gave a statement to the police that contradicted Track’s. She stated that the two had been arguing all night about the female caller’s maintenance of contact with an ex-boyfriend. She told Track that she called the police, though she had not yet done so, in an effort to deescalate the situation, which apparently was turning violent quickly. She states that Palin punched her girlfriend in the head; that she then entered the fetal position in an attempt to defend herself; and that Palin then kicked her while she was on the ground. He then threw the female’s phone across the driveway. She retrieved it and tried to make several calls, but they were all cut short after a few seconds (according to her phone records). Palin then held a gun to his own head and then threatened to shoot himself, yelling “do you think I’m a pussy?” and “you think I won’t do it?”. It was later determined by the police that the weapon was not loaded.
MOM?
At a rally in Oklahoma, Palin made reference to the incident. She implicitly excused her son, turning the conversation to a question of his combat veteran status. Track served in the military and was involved in combat. It would not be surprising if he was indeed suffering from serious PTSD. This begs the question, however, of whether it is safe for him to have many firearms around the house, as he stated that he had in the police report from this incident. Palin suggested in her speech that it was President Obama’s fault her son committed the abovementioned crimes, taking Obama’s track record with veterans as evidence (veteran groups have since responded negatively to this argument).
What Next?
The charges against Track are very serious, and if he is found guilty, he may be facing serious jail time. A politically powerful mother might be able to step in and affect the case; whether she does so remains to be seen. In Tennessee, domestic assault is an assault against a victim who is a family or household member. This includes:
- current and former spouses of the offender
- anyone with whom the offender lives or has lived
- anyone who the offender is dating or previous dated
- anyone with whom the offender has or has had a sexual relationship
- anyone with whom the offender is related to or is related to by marriage
- an adult or minor child of a family or household member
Palin was charged specifically with “recklessly causing injury to another person”. This constitutes simple assault in Tennessee, but could constitute aggravated assault if “serious” body harm is done (bones broken, disfigurement, serious surgery required to heal the wound, and other categories of injury). Palin’s act is considered “reckless” because it was deliberately committed without regard for the outcome.
Domestic Violence Cases: First Steps
The consequences of domestic violence in Tennessee are the same as those for general assault, except that the defendant might be required to pay an additional fine that would be used to fund domestic violence centers. A simple assault like Palin’s will be considered either a Class A or Class B misdemeanor, which carry 29 days in jail and up to a $2500 fine, and up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine, respectively. The penalties for aggravated assault (Class C and D) are more severe, and can be punished with up to 15 years in prison and up to a $15,000 fine.
Domestic Violence is a serious offense, and if you or a loved one is facing these charges, the best course of action is to hire a lawyer who is experienced in dealing with the specific local law you will be up against. Rob Turner Law Offices have over twenty years or experience working in Tennessee law, and proven track record too. Call today for a free initial consultation.
