Ohio School Disciplinary Hearings
Schools will attempt to dissuade you from bringing an attorney to a disciplinary hearing that involves your child. The reason is simple. The attorney will look out for your child's rights!
Here's how a disciplinary hearing often goes bad:
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The student's past history, even if stellar, is often ignored (they are there to prosecute your child)
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Schools have strict disciplinary policies regarding at least:
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Guns
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Drugs
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Crimes of violence
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Bullying
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Schools can pressure students much more easily without an attorney present
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Schools disciplinary hearings are adversarial in nature. They are prosecutions!
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What is revealed at these hearings can and will be used against your child in a court of law
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Schools can lie
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Law enforcement can lie (SEE THIS PAGE)
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Law enforcement officers are often brought in to intimidate the student
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Schools cannot be
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Arbitrary
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Capricious
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Your child has the right to
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Your child has the right to due process
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Fair notice
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Legal representation (some say only for long-term suspensions or expulsions
Zero-tolerance policies are dangerous processes that can have a significant impact on your child.
Please read an article by the American Bar Association on this subject:
Using the school to investigate crime
It is also not unusual for a school to hold an "informal" hearing outside the presence of parents and attorneys for the purpose of gathering evidence. This process should result in a vigorous objection to those responsible in the school, the school administrative officials, the school board and the prosecutor who now benefits from the school's cooperation.
Call me
Give me a call and we can discuss your particular facts and whether you should have representation. The call is free. But, know that due to the factors listed above, I will almost always suggest you have representation.