Outrage: No Splendor in the Grass

When a police officer came to Betty Perry's door this past July, the 70-year-old Orem, Utah, resident says, she didn't have a clue why. As it turned out, the problem lay right before Perry's eyes: her brown lawn.

The unsightly grass violated the city's zoning ordinance, so the officer began writing her a ticket. Perry started to go back into her house. None too pleased that she refused to give her name and was attempting to leave, the officer handcuffed Perry and hauled her to jail.

When the officer's superiors learned of their new inmate, Perry was released after about an hour and was assured no charges would be filed. Months later, however, she is facing charges for failing to maintain her landscaping and resisting arrest, both misdemeanors. High-profile Los Angeles attorney Gloria Allred appeared with her when she entered her not guilty plea.

"You cannot arrest somebody because their grass is brown," Perry says. "That's the most unconstitutional thing."

Orem City Attorney Paul Johnson says Perry had spoken with an officer about her lawn last year and was aware of the landscaping ordinance. Johnson also insists Perry's lawn had nothing to do with her arrest. "When she's fighting with a police officer and wanting to get away from him, she's not going to get away with that," he says.

A trial is set for Feb. 11, 2008.