User blog comment:Darkdonpatch/PLEASE READ!/@comment-1874924-20100419023443

Unfortunately, that's the way it is in some jurisdictions. Because an abusive spouse can intimidate the victim spouse into telling the police that it was "just a misunderstanding" or somesuch, some jurisdictions have laws that the police must make an arrest when they respond to a domestic disturbance call.

If it is, indeed, a misunderstanding, what usually happens is that the arrested spouse spends the night in jail and is released on bond--often personal recognizance (meaning no money is required) the next day. Since this happened on a Saturday, though, it's possible that no judges will be available to set bail until Monday. Then, with any luck, the District Attorney will decide not to press charges and the matter will blow over.