How School Disciplinary Actions Can Affect Your Teen’s Legal Rights

Law Office of Katie Walsh

Disciplinary actions at school can seriously impact your child’s academic future, but it can also have legal implications that affect their rights. Parents need to understand the potential consequences and talking to an Orange County juvenile defense attorney is a great place to start. At the Law Office of Katie Walsh, our caring, knowledgeable legal team can advise and support your family, offering legal options, a professional explanation of your rights, and advocacy. 

The Basics About School Disciplinary Actions

When a child faces disciplinary actions at school, it can range from minor infractions like tardiness or dress code violations to more serious matters like suspension or expulsion. While schools have the authority to enforce rules and maintain discipline, it is important to be aware of the potential consequences these actions can have on your teen’s future. Juvenile law attorneys are allowed to accompany parents in 504 meetings and disciplinary hearings, whether the school advises you of this right or not.

Impact on College Applications

Colleges and universities often ask applicants to disclose any disciplinary actions taken during their high school years. This means that any suspensions, expulsions, or other serious disciplinary actions can potentially jeopardize your teen’s chances of getting accepted into their desired colleges, trade schools, or even the military. Properly addressing these issues and minimizing the impact on your child’s academic future is our goal at the Law Office of Katie Walsh.

In some cases, school disciplinary actions can escalate to criminal charges, especially if the offense involves violence, drugs, sexual assault, or other illegal activities. These charges can have far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the school environment. You must look at the big picture and approach school disciplinary hearings with caution. Again, you have nothing to lose by consulting with a reputable Orange County criminal defense lawyer to protect your teenager’s rights and future.

Working Towards a Positive Resolution

As a parent, you don’t know the limits or parameters of school policy, what they have and do not have control over. A school district is a large bureaucracy that you can expect to have plenty of red tape and extra paperwork and miscommunicated requirements that you accidentally overlook. It can often be much harder for parents to defend or protect their child against the school than it is from the law because most adults have some degree of familiarity with things like having their rights read to them upon arrest. No one is going to advise you or your child in such a clear, black and white way with regards to a school hearing. To say the least, they can be extremely frustrating for ill-informed parents lacking resources and support.

A Trustworthy & Caring Orange County Juvenile Law Attorney

If your hope is for a positive resolution, having someone who knows your rights, knows the paperwork, and knows the typical loopholes in your corner truly makes a world of difference. At the Law Office of Katie Walsh, our office has the experience and knowledge that you don’t. Let Orange County juvenile defense lawyer Katie Walsh efficiently guide you through this difficult time. Contact us now to get started. 

Client Reviews

I hired attorney Katie Walsh to help my son when he was found with a large amount of drugs on school campus. She got us through the Expulsion Hearing, and miraculously he can go back to school at the winter semester...

AR- parent of minor client

I hired Katie Walsh to have my felony convictions expunged. She was able to expunge my record within 6 weeks of me giving her all the information. Even though technically I had a probation violation, and therefore the...

AR, criminal client

My 16 year old son was charged with possession of Marijuana, HS 11357(b). I was very concerned about what would happen to him and how this would affect his future. I contacted Ms. Walsh and she assured me that everything...

CT, parent of juvenile client

My child was charged with Felony Penal Code 597(a)- Animal Cruelty. After hiring Katie Walsh, she got the charges reduced to a misdemeanor, counseling, and 40 hours of chores at home. We come back in 6 months and the...

DH - Parent of Juvenile client

I hired Katie Walsh to represent my son on sexual abuse allegations- P.C. 288(a) and P.C. 288(b)- they were Strike Charges. After negotiating with the D.A., she got all the strike charges dismissed, and got my son...

DR- mother of juvenile client

Katie Walsh was fantastic throughout this entire process! My 13 year old son was charged with two counts of lewd act on a minor, PC 288(a) and was in juvenile hall. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she GOT MY SON OUT OF JAIL and...

EG, parent of juvenile client

My 14 year old son was arrested at school for P.C. 311 (child pornography). My son had innocent and stupid nude pictures of himself and friends on his phone. Ms. Walsh was extremely easy to talk to, and made my son feel...

GK,TK, parents of juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was a life saver when I didn't know what was going on, or how to handle the situation. My young daughter was attacked at her middle school and was seriously injured. At a time when both the school and the...

HA, mother of 13 year old Victim Rights client

I hired Katie Walsh to seal my juvenile record of PC 288(a) (lewd act on a minor), after my request had been denied by a Judge and by the Probation Department. After speaking with Probation, the DA and the Judge at a...

JW, former juvenile client

I was charged with a Felony Conspiracy charge- PC 182. After hiring Ms. Walsh she got my charged reduced to a misdemeanor right away, and now I just have to do community service and in 6 months my entire case will be...

KP, juvenile client

Ms. Walsh was like a breath of fresh air throughout this entire process. I was uncertain about the outcome, but she told me everything would be ok- and it was. She had my juvenile record sealed within 3 months of...

LR, former juvenile client

Ms. Walsh got the judge to terminate my son's probation and seal his 2 juvenile cases (Penal Code 288(a) and Penal Code 242) even though he had violated my probation by picking up a new case. By getting his record sealed...

MB- mother of juvenile client

At a very difficult time in my life I contacted attorney Katie Walsh. I am a teacher and was being harassed/stalked by a parent at my school. I wanted a Restraining Order against this person. Ms. Walsh listened to me...

MB, restraining order client

My son was charged with Lewd Conduct, P.C. 647 out of Downey, CA. After hiring Ms. Walsh, she spoke with the District Attorney, Probation, and the Judge. Even though the judge was not pleased with the offer, she was able...

MG, parent of minor

It is with sincere gratitude that I send this recommendation As a parent of a child that was arrested on a Felony Domestic Abuse charge and over 2000 miles away I had to rely on friend of a friends word that you would...

MPF, mother of criminal client

I really liked having Ms. Walsh as my attorney. She visited me in Juvenile Hall. I was charged with four counts of Robbery (Penal Code 211). This was my 8th juvenile petition. Ms. Walsh got 2 of the robbery charges...

MU, juvenile client

I was arrested for a felony Domestic charge, PC 273.5(a). After I hired Katie Walsh, my entire case was dismissed. I never had to appear in court. I felt very comfortable with Ms. Walsh- she was easy to speak with...

NF, criminal client

Katie was instrumental in helping me with a criminal matter as an advocate for me and my children when I was a named victim in a DV case. She patiently and expediently addressed all of my questions and was an invaluable...

RG

My daughter was pulled over arrested for having a Fake ID. After hiring Ms. Walsh my daughter did not have to plead guilty- which would have affected her license status. She did community service, completed a legal...

RS

My 14 year old daughter was involved in an assault and battery- PC 240/242, in Irvine. After hiring Katie Walsh the case was not referred to Court. My daughter was able to complete a class and the case will be dismissed...

SG, mother a juvenile client

My son was charged with possession of Child Pornography P.C. 311.11(a) - a charge I did not realize a child could be guilty of! As parents were beside ourselves when we found this out, and contacted Katie Walsh. She...

SH- mother of juvenile client

From San Diego I contacted Ms. Walsh about sealing my juvenile record in Orange County regarding a Petty Theft charge. She was always very responsive to any of my questions, and consistently kept me updated. Even though...

XL, juvenile client

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