Judge has harsh words for Mom before sentencing her for spanking her kid

See this article about a Texan judged who sentenced a mother for felony abuse charges after she spanked her child.  Note, she did not use a belt or leave any bruises, just some red marks.

Judge Jose Longoria said, “You don’t spank children today.”

It seems that more and more courts are taking a strong stance against spankings.  I am not sure I agree with such a hardline, but we are certainly seeing more and more bannings of corporal punishment in our family law cases in San Diego.

What do you think?  Is spanking inappropriate all the time or are there times when spanking is ok?