without all the details and without witnessing it, it is hard to say whether the "handshake" could be labeled an assault.

It is certainly perceivable that it is possible.

I mean if she used the excuse of a handshake to commit and assault, if she grabbed the federal officer's arm and practically threw to the ground as alleged, it is possible that it would be assault.

The fact that it started as a handshake doesn't change that. The questionis just how much force was applied and how excessive was it.

Well it was in front of plenty of witnesses so I imagine that it was pretty dramatic.

Yes, that is what I assume as well. It seems to be a valid arrest.

The tone of the BBC article seemed to me to making light of it. "Those silly americans" type of thing.

As you often point out we are the home of the frivolous lawsuits.

Yes, but this is a criminal not a civil case (yet)
If she wasn't harmed than a civil lawsuit would be ridiculous but a criminal one (depending on the severity of the attack) might be called for.

In any case, she won't do 1 year. She probably won't have to any jail time or at most very little. She will face a fine, make a formal apology, and possibly other sanctions, but won't get jail out of it.

Yes but lest we forget, this is Florida. That simply must factor in :)

In the school I work at, we have a special "behavioral unit" for students who are violent or "go off" on a whim. Anyway, a couple of them have approached me wanting to shake my hand, and they start squeezing as hard as they can and laugh.

That's what this story reminded me of.

I knew a guy who broke another guy's bone with a handshake.