The Impact of Off-Campus Actions on School Life in Idaho
Whether your student attends the West Ada School District, the Boise Schools, or any other school in Idaho, they have one thing in common – they are subject to discipline and consequences for unapproved behavior off-campus. This discipline can damage the reputation and future of a student and may result in suspension, expulsion, or other discipline. This can create quite a problem in the highly competitive college environment after graduation.
The consideration of off-campus behavior may feel like an intrusion into the privacy of a student and family and may strike the parent as inappropriate. But the plain fact is that school districts are increasingly looking at what students do off-campus, including on social media, and are increasingly taking action to discipline students on that basis.
As a parent, you may feel blindsided by accusations of misconduct against your child, as these accusations can happen quickly and without any prior knowledge on your part. It is normal to feel helpless and at a loss as to how to defend or assist your teen. Parents often are motivated to advocate for their student and to hold the school district accountable to its own process, but they don't know where to begin to develop an effective strategy.
That's where the Lento Law Firm comes in. The Lento Law Firm is experienced in the representation of middle and high school students accused of misconduct. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team acts to protect the futures of students from the consequences of isolated misconduct. The Lento Law Firm reminds parents that even relatively low-level discipline will often come with life-altering consequences. Discipline, particularly at the middle school level, has a way of altering and penalizing the student for years into the future. Reach out to the Lento Law Firm by calling 888.535.3686 or by leaving your details online so that we can contact you. The Lento Law Firm is nationwide—we can represent your student in Idaho or across the country.
The most important factor in determining whether off-campus misconduct becomes an issue of school discipline is whether the misconduct is related to school activities or interests. For example, your teen may shoplift or take a car joyriding without permission. If they do this alone, it is not typically an issue for the school and will not result in disciplinary action at school. If, however, your teen does either of these activities with a group of fellow students from the school, the school may take disciplinary action against the group of students. Finally, if your teen steals the car of a faculty member and vandalizes it, there is a clear connection between the alleged misconduct and the school. In that case, the school will almost certainly take action against the student.
Off-Campus Misconduct and School Responses in Idaho Schools
Where the alleged misconduct is unrelated to school activities or policies.
In situations where student behavior is unrelated to school and causes little or no disruption to school activities, school districts are reluctant to become involved. In situations like these, the school is less likely to take action against a student, and it is less appropriate that the school become involved in the issue at all.
Where alleged misconduct is only indirectly related to the school.
If the alleged misconduct of a student is of importance, the fact that a clear connection does not exist with school activities may not prevent the school from taking action. If a social media post deals with an issue of critical importance, such as suicide or racism, the school may feel compelled to become involved. Discussions on social media that involve bullying or abuse may lead school officials to become involved even in the absence of a clear connection between the alleged abusive conduct and the school. In situations like this, it is often critical to have experienced counsel and to keep the lines of communication open with the school.
Where a clear nexus exists between the alleged misconduct and school policy or interest.
There may be a clear connection between allegations of misconduct made against a student and the interests of the school. If the misconduct involves other students at the school or causes significant disruption of activities, the school is more likely to take action. The alleged misconduct may be related to something that happened at the school, or it may involve actions against a staff or faculty member. The more connected to the school the alleged misconduct appears to be, the more likely that the school will act to discipline the student. Examples of this might be a fight between students who attend the school or the vandalization of the home of a staff or faculty member.
Decisions on Adjudication of Off-Campus Conduct in Idaho
The response of the school to off-campus misconduct will vary greatly depending on the strength of the connection between the alleged misconduct and the school. The weaker the connection, the more likely the student or parent will be to successfully challenge the discipline.
- Where alleged misconduct is unconnected to the school, the school may seek a more informal resolution of the issue in order to educate and prevent future issues.
- If the alleged misconduct is tangentially related to the school, the school will likely be more assertive and more likely to seek discipline.The closer the connection is between the alleged misconduct and the school, the more likely the school district will be to seek harsher discipline.
- If the alleged misconduct directly involves the school, the school may seek to enforce stricter discipline, including suspension. In Idaho, a student may be suspended for up to 20 days for a single act of misconduct. It is vital that anyone facing this type of disciplinary response seek counsel immediately.
Posts on Social Media Likely to Lead to School Action
- Speech relating to illegal drug or alcohol use or obscene or lewd speech. If your teen posts information on illegal drug or alcohol use, the school may feel compelled to take action. Likewise, speech that is obscene, offensive, or lewd concerning other students may lead to school action. The issue will often come down to whether it is reasonably foreseeable that speech will impact or disrupt the school environment.
- Threats of Violence. If your student posts threats directed at other students or school officials, the school will likely take action. This is particularly true if the student has a plan of action or has taken steps to carry out threats. In the current environment, it is vital that a student facing this type of accusation have legal counsel.
- Bullying or harassment. Idaho Code 18-917A provides that no student should bully or harass another person. Schools are expected to take action to prevent harassment or bullying. For this reason, a student may face accusations of bullying or harassment based on social media posts.
The Consequences of School Discipline in Idaho
School discipline has far-reaching effects on the life of a student, and these events have a way of resurfacing years after the fact to damage the life and reputation of a student. It is vital to never treat any type of school discipline as routine or unimportant.
Immediate Effects: You may receive a call that your student is engaged in misconduct, and the school may take action very quickly. If there is an issue of threats, bullying, or other dangerous activity, you may have no time to prepare for your first meeting at the school. Contact legal counsel as quickly as you can and try to remain calm.
Short-term Effects: If your student is suspended, they will miss classroom time, tests, and other instruction. While your student may attempt to keep up with the coursework at home, it is often exceedingly difficult. Even a short suspension can present impossible hurdles for your student to overcome. If your student is taking challenging or AP courses, the loss of even a few lectures may result in an inability to successfully pass the testing for college credit. If a student misses tests, they simply can't catch up. If the school prevents your child from participating in extracurricular activities, they may lose a position that they worked years to secure.
Long-term Consequences: The most serious ramifications of discipline are the potential long-term consequences of discipline on future opportunities. In the competitive environment of college admissions, a suspension or other disciplinary action can prevent your student from being accepted at any highly desirable school. It is impossible to overestimate the effects of school suspension or discipline on a high school student.
In order to prevent the consequences of discipline from damaging your child's future, call the Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team. They will be able to represent your child effectively and to open lines of communication with the school so that your child's reputation and future are protected.
Navigating the School Disciplinary Process in Idaho
When your student is accused of misconduct, it may seem to you that the process becomes combative quickly. If you enter these meetings without an experienced attorney, it may feel as if you are standing against an entire room or school system. The disciplinary process is stressful, but the Lento Law Firm has your back. With an experienced attorney by your side, you will have peace of mind that you are doing all you can to get your life back to normal and to protect your student's future.
The Student Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm will be able to:
- Advise you as to due process considerations in Idaho. In order to answer the alleged misconduct, it is vital that every student and family have due process. This means that the school district must explain the nature of the allegations of misconduct. The school district should have done an investigation, and the student and family should have seen the witness statements or other evidence.
- Conduct an investigation as to the underlying behavior and facts.
- Open lines of communication with the school system so that an informal resolution can be reached, if possible.
- Give your student the opportunity to tell their side of the story. This is not a time for rumor, gossip, or innuendo—the student must be able to present evidence or explain their actions.
- Hold the school accountable for its own processes and policies and provide the student and parents with a thorough understanding of the school's policies and regulations.
If you suspect that the school is investigating your child, begin to gather evidence and make notes of any conversations you have with school personnel. Prepare ahead of time for meetings with the principal or other administrators. Gather all possible information, understand your school's stance, and prepare for any upcoming discussions with administrators.
Our team can help you with these tasks. In addition, we can help you:
- Thoroughly investigate and document your student's behavior and the school's response.
- Negotiate with the school to end the process as quickly as possible with as little disruption as possible to your family.
- Advise and assist with the appeals process, if necessary.
- Advise you throughout the process to protect your child's interests and arrive at the best possible outcome.
The Lento Law Firm is here to Protect Your Child's Future
The Lento Law Firm has successfully represented hundreds of students nationwide for all types of accusations of misconduct. If your teen is facing school discipline for off-campus behavior, you need an experienced team on your side. Don't attempt to face this process alone. You are your child's best cheerleader, but you may not be the most effective advocate. The Lento Law Firm Student Defense Team has the experience to represent your student's best interests and to protect their future prospects. It is particularly vital that you contact the Lento Law Firm immediately if your student faces suspension, dismissal, alternative placement, or other serious discipline. Call 888.535.3686 or provide your details online, and we will contact you.
