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Legal Update

Legal Update. Making the Right Moves in student discipline – Due process, search & seizure, and documentation. MASSP Asst. Principals & Deans Mid-Winter Summit Monday, February 3, 2014 / 4:30 p.m. Presenter: Kevin T. Sutton, Lusk & Albertson.

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Legal Update

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  1. Legal Update Making the Right Moves in student discipline – Due process, search & seizure, and documentation MASSP Asst. Principals & Deans Mid-Winter Summit Monday, February 3, 2014 / 4:30 p.m. Presenter: Kevin T. Sutton, Lusk & Albertson Download presentation at: www.LuskAlbertson.com/massp2014

  2. Properly Enforcing Student Discipline

  3. School District’s Right to Discipline • The Michigan Legislature has given school districts the authority to discipline students, including the power to order suspension or expulsion (MCL 380.1311) • Courts have stated that the power to maintain order and discipline in a school is subject only to the restriction of reasonableness Davis v. Ann Arbor Schools (1970) • Arbitrary and Capricious Standard: • Disparate Treatment – treating similarly situated students differently • Must have rational basis for difference

  4. Student Discipline Considerations • Two Primary Types of Issues to Consider with Student Discipline: • Legal Issues • Constitutional Issues • Statutory Issues • District Policy Issues • Constitutional Issues • Procedural Due Process - 5th Amendment • Search & Seizure - 4th Amendment • Also …. • Freedom of Speech/Religion - 1st Amendment

  5. Due Process • Goss v Lopez, U.S. Supreme Court (1975) • A student has a “property interest” in a public education. • Due process is required before that right may be taken away. • Basic Tenants of Due Process • Notice of “charges” • Opportunity to be heard

  6. Due Process – Central Question: How Much Due Process is Enough?

  7. Due Process (cont.) • Suspensions of 10 days or lessREQUIRE: • Oral or written notice of charges • Explanation of evidence • Opportunity to present student side of story • Suspensions of 10 days or lessDO NOT REQUIRE: • A student to secure legal counsel • Allowing the confrontation of witnesses • Allowing the calling of witnesses on the student’s behalf

  8. Due Process (cont.) • Suspensions of more than 10 days and expulsions REQUIRE: • More formal procedures (Goss) • Notification of charges in writing • Right to secure counsel, confront witnesses/evidence and to call witnesses on the student’s behalf

  9. Due Process (cont.) • Student statements (disciplinary hearing) • Prior to disciplinary hearing • No need to give statements to student or allow student to confront students who submitted statements • At time of disciplinary hearing • Student should be provided with redacted copies of all statements used to determine discipline

  10. Student Code of Conduct USE IT! Apply the levels and types of discipline stated in the Code of Conduct to eliminate potential arguments of disparate treatment, favoritism, or arbitrary and capricious actions Easy to justify decision to parents, administrators or others

  11. Investigation Reminders A formal (or informal) complaint Reports of questionable conduct (even if not wanting to become involved or reported anonymously) Observed or reported student misconduct including violation of student code of conduct Parent or student complaints Anonymous complaints

  12. Why Investigate? • Gather facts and evidence • Informed decision-making • Adhere to due process requirements; adhere to district policy • Create a record of activity • Occurrence / Response • Establish expectations for behavior • Show misconduct will be taken seriously • Be your attorney’s best friend! • Document for future proceedings • Avoid liability!

  13. Effective Investigations/Interviews Minimize Concerns • Helpful tips … • Obtain story; use caution in how Qs asked • Have student write statement • Include salient details in written narrative • Make student amend as appropriate • Don’t have to contact parents in advance of interviewing • Call if discipline will be issued • Don’t interview or “detain” the student too long • Administrator summary at end

  14. Effective Investigating: Search & Seizure • Standard for Police • Warrant for search • Standard for School Administrators • Two-Step Inquiry [TLO v. New Jersey] • Reason to suspect student violated Student Code of Conduct/District Policy? • Reason to suspect evidence of violation of Student Code of Conduct/District Policy exists in the area you want to investigate/look?

  15. Search & Seizure (cont.) • Practical Examples: • Search for Stolen Laptop • Search for a Weapon • Search for Drugs • Special Circumstances • Police and School Searches • Strip Searches • Hot Topics • Random Drug Testing • Social Media • Cell Phones • Consent Issues - can be addressed via policy

  16. Exceeding Your Authority – “Enough is Enough” • R.S. v. Minnewaska Area School District • Investigation = Good • Violation of Privacy = Bad • G.C. v. Owensboro Public Schools • Take Cell Phone = OK • Search Cell Phone = Not OK • Why? • Important Distinction

  17. Interactions with Police Agencies • Dangerous Situations • Police Interviews with Students • Don’t have to call parents to advise of interactions with police (check District policy) • J.D.B. v. North Carolina – Lesson for the police

  18. Statutory Issues/Considerations • Mandatory Discipline • Mandatory Discipline Categories • Dangerous Weapons • Criminal Sexual Conduct • Felony Arson • Assaults - Adults and Students • Verbal Assaults and Bomb Threats

  19. Real World Examples • “Sexting” Scandal • Photo Sharing • Backpack Search • Facebook Harassment

  20. Other Resources: www.LuskAlbertson.com @LuskAlbertson www.LuskAlbertson.com/massp2014 Kevin T. Sutton 40950 Woodward, Suite 350 Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-5129 Direct: (248) 988-5695 Cell: (734) 377-7400 Email: KSutton@LuskAlbertson.com

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