Shackling of juveniles challenged-Public defenders call chaining children abusive

MIAMI -- The arrest of her son for a schoolyard fight was devastating enough, but Giselle Sanchez was horrified when she watched the 15-year-old, his wrists handcuffed and his ankles shackled, shuffle into his first juvenile-court appearance."He's a child, not an animal," Sanchez said. "Why is he in chains?"

Because he committed a crime, he assaulted someone, he's a criminal!

Even the newspaper agrees with me.

Shackles and safetyOur position: Putting restraints on juvenile suspects is justified.

Carlos Martinez, Miami-Dade's chief assistant public defender, joined me at 8AM Wednesday morning for a spirited debate.