What Happens If Your Child is Facing Expulsion from School in California?

Law Office of Katie Walsh

Everyone makes mistakes and missteps in life, including children. Sometimes, miscalculations are a learning experience that does not come with life-changing impacts; other times, the errors result in not only a lesson but also severe repercussions. A child’s young mind may not think ahead about potential consequences or adverse outcomes that may come with the decisions they make. And, just because a child makes a mistake that comes with penalties, that does not mean the child is inherently bad.

In school, parents, students, and teachers must abide by guidelines and codes of conduct. Failure to follow the rules can have serious outcomes. Children who violate the California Education Code or a particular school’s distinct regulations could face expulsion.

No parent wants to hear that their child has made a bad choice, especially one that could affect their education and their future. However, these things happen, and when they do, it is imperative to understand what to expect with the expulsion process and how to defend your child against the most severe consequences. The Orange County school expulsion lawyer at the Law Office of Katie Walsh can assist you throughout the entire expulsion process.

Understanding the California School Expulsion Process

Certain behaviors are unacceptable at school and deemed so intolerable that a student may be expelled from their school. Examples are using or selling illicit drugs, bringing a weapon to school, being a threat to others while engaging in violence, and more. An expulsion from school can be a significant hardship for your child and be present on their record, which will follow them around as they work to pursue higher education and other opportunities.

Having an attorney helping you work through the expulsion process is essential because there may be alternative options to avoid expulsion. While you navigate the expulsion process, here is a brief overview of what happens.

  • A hearing is set where your child will be seen by three teachers from their school district. Your child has rights and can determine their course of action, including fighting the violations or admitting fault. During the hearing, information supporting your child’s position can be submitted for review.
  • The panel will examine everything that they were presented with and then make a recommendation to the school board in favor of expulsion or not. 
  • Your child will then be seen by the school board, who will review the testimony and information submitted to them after the panel hearing, and they will also allow some additional testimony. You can improve your chances of securing a more favorable outcome by having an attorney supporting your child’s case.
  • The school board will make a decision.
  • A decision that is unfavorable may be appealed to the county school board.

Speak to an Orange County School Expulsion Attorney Today

Expulsion is not a quick decision but rather a multi-step process. Attorney Katie Walsh has extensive experience handling school expulsion cases and can help improve the chances of securing a fair and promising outcome for your child. Call our California school expulsion attorney at the Law Office of Katie Walsh today to learn more at (714) 351-0178. 

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...

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SG, mother a juvenile client

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