While I do believe that it's ridiculous to arrest someone, take up jail space, and court time for failing to water a lawn, however we have to remember there are two sides to every story.

From what I gathered from just that article the woman refused to give information to the police when they asked, and apparently resisted the officer, both of which will tend to make cops very mad.

Also she'd had her water shut off for 9 months while still apparently living there, which could indicate she had financial problems or mental health problems and that may have been the only way for the family to help her be declared incompetent to help herself. I have seen that many times where older folks just can't take care of themselves but because most dr's won't put it in writing the family has their hands tied trying to get them some help against their will.

Either way I hope everything is resolved for the lady now, brown lawn or not.

Never take anything, even a news story (especially a news story) at face value now-a-days.