While an increasing number of public grade and high schools are joining many private and religious schools in requiring students to wear uniforms to class, a school in Alabama has decided it makes more sense to micromanage what their students are allowed to wear. The school's new dress code has drawn attention across the country and from as far off as the UK's Daily Mail for its extremely detailed descriptions of prohibited clothing, footwear, and accessories.

When schools add more rules, especially ones that can be easily broken, students are more likely to face discipline. Even with relatively minor violations, such as those for violating the school's dress code, the effect of multiple incidents can add up. If your child is facing serious disciplinary sanctions at school, whether for single or multiple incidents, the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team can help. Call us today at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation to discuss your child's situation with one of our experienced student defense attorneys.

The Bessemer High School Dress Code

The Daily Mail article included images from the school detailing the school's dress code. It includes a long list of the different types of clothes, accessories, and footwear that students are not allowed to wear to school. Among them are:

• Certain kinds of belts, including “open or chain belts, unbuckled belts,” and “electronic belts for buckle” (likely meaning “electronic buckles for belts”)
• Pants “that sag”
• Any head coverings except for religious head coverings
• Clothes with holes above the knee
• Clothing that depicts “unacceptable and/or inappropriate decals, slogans, or pictures” as well as profanity, references to suggestive or immoral behavior, gang activity, alcohol, drugs, or tobacco
• Trench coats
• “Matrix” coats
• Pajamas
• Blankets
• Open-toed shoes
• Hoodies
• Sunglasses
• “See-through, skintight, spandex, jeggings, yoga pants, and/or revealing clothing.”
• Crocs
• Headbands or sweatbands
• Midriff shirts

The extensive list leaves much up to the discretion of the school administration. For example, at what point do pants cross the line from acceptable loose-fitting to prohibited saggy? And what constitutes an “unacceptable” shirt decal? When is a shirt too revealing? Different people may have different answers to these questions, meaning that enforcement of the dress code risks being uneven and, as a result, unfair.

The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team Can Help Defend Your Student in School Disciplinary Situations

Your child doesn't have to be attending Bessemer High School to potentially face a situation where they might be disciplined for a questionable violation of an ambiguous school policy. At the Lento Law Firm, our Student Defense Team regularly defends students across the country who are being unfairly disciplined because of poorly written school policies or because a faculty or staff member targets that student. We understand school conduct codes, including dress codes, and the different ways schools will try to enforce them. Our experienced attorneys have helped thousands of students all across the country fight unfair discipline from their schools, and we are ready to help you and your child do the same.

If your student is facing serious discipline at school, contact us. The sooner we understand the situation and can get involved, the better for you and your child. Call the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team today at 888.535.3686 or use our contact form to schedule a confidential consultation.