School field trips are great; a chance to get out of the school environment with fellow students, hop onto a bus and sometimes even a plane, explore someplace different, and, if you're lucky, even interesting and educational. Things typically are a lot more relaxed than in the day-to-day school setting and accompanying teachers and school chaperones may act in a way that may suggest the usual school rules don't apply.

Don't let that fool you. While high school disciplinary codes vary, it is almost certain that they apply to school-organized field trips and that a student who misbehaves on a school field trip will be subject to the exact same disciplinary policies and procedures as a student who misbehaves in the classroom.

Know Before You Go

Students will typically need written parental permission to participate in a school-sponsored field trip. Parents should review the “permission slip” carefully; in many cases, these go beyond simply giving the student permission to go on the trip. They'll often go into some detail about the kinds of behavior that can land the student in trouble during the trip and may also specifically note that the school code of conduct applies at all times during the trip.

Parents can use this permission slip as a way to remind their students how important it is to behave properly during the trip and to go over the types of behavior that could land them in serious school disciplinary trouble. Bringing alcohol or drugs along (whether or not it's consumed before or during the trip), engaging in bullying or sexual or racial harassment, vandalizing hotel rooms, shoplifting during rest stops or at the museum – any of this kind of misbehavior can easily result in an after-trip school disciplinary proceeding that can leave a serious blemish on the best student's permanent record.

Understand Your School's Process

Most high schools have a set of procedures that apply to student academic and behavioral discipline, and if your student has been accused of misconduct, it's important to know how the school intends to treat the incident. If it appears as though the school is embarking on a set of disciplinary procedures that could leave a permanent blemish on your student's school record, you should seek the advice of Joseph D. Lento, who has advised families with students involved in school disciplinary proceedings all over the country. He has dealt with school tribunals and attorneys many times and understands first-hand how to negotiate with them to achieve an outcome that is fair under the circumstances and respects both the student's rights and the school's interest in providing a safe and fair learning environment for all.

Indeed, because school employees are generally not full-time disciplinarians, it's not unusual for a school investigation to have multiple holes in it and to miss evidence that can sometimes exonerate the accused student completely. Having someone on your side who has experience with these kinds of situations can make the difference for your student between serious disciplinary consequences and an unblemished student record.

Contact Attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm for Help

You and your student should not face serious school disciplinary proceedings alone. Contact someone who has experience advising students and their families in these kinds of situations all over the country: attorney Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team.  Joseph D. Lento can help advise you and your student, will advocate on your student's behalf, and will make sure that your student's rights are respected during what can be a very upsetting and sometimes unfair process. Contact Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm today at 888-535-3686 or through our online contact form to learn more about how we can help.