Do Not Take School Disciplinary Hearings Lightly
School officials in Texas are given a great deal of authority to discipline students who are suspected of an offense on – or off – school property. Schools often collaborate with the Collin County Juvenile Probation Department when a juvenile is arrested for an offense, even when the allegations are unrelated to a school function.
When a student is facing disciplinary matters at school, parents are often tempted to try to work things out with the school by themselves – without an attorney. However, if the discipline is related to any kind of juvenile offense or infraction, the juvenile can unknowingly waive rights, which can adversely impact the outcome of any juvenile court proceeding related to the matter. Parents trying to help resolve an issue in the school setting may unwittingly provide evidence that can be used against their child in juvenile court.
Understanding Your Student’s Rights In Texas
As a comprehensive juvenile defense attorney in McKinney, Texas, I guide parents and juveniles through tough school disciplinary procedures to protect the educational rights of the student. You need to know that a child can be removed from school and placed in an alternative Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program or District Alternative Education Program for the remainder of the school year.
Students can be placed into an alternative JJAEP or DAEP for a variety of reasons such as:
- Serious infractions of the Student Code of Conduct
- Committing a felony-level offense – even if unrelated to school
- Committing a misdemeanor offense handled in juvenile court
- Simply being charged or detained as a juvenile
A simple mistake, such as forgetting to take a hunting rifle out of the vehicle after a weekend hunting trip and returning to school on Monday morning, can lead to serious juvenile law and school disciplinary matters. At the first sign of trouble, it is crucial for parents to consult with a knowledgeable lawyer who can safeguard the rights of the student.
Reach Out For Help From A McKinney School Disciplinary Defense Attorney
To learn more about how my experience and knowledge can protect the rights your child has in the face of juvenile law and school disciplinary hearings, call 469-845-9951.