Connecticut school expulsion hearings are required for students who allegedly:
- Had a gun or other dangerous weapon on school grounds or at school related activity
- Used a gun or other dangerous weapon off school grounds
- Sold or attempted to sell drugs whether on or off school grounds.
A student may face an expulsion hearing for allegedly:
- Violating a school rule at school or at a school related activity
- Endangering other people or property at school or a school related activity
- Violating a school rule off school grounds that is seriously disruptive to the educational process.
A student facing expulsion has several important rights:
Connecticut school expulsion hearings are usually scheduled in ten days or less so you getting prepared quickly is key. These include:
- The right to have sufficient notice of why the school is seeking expulsion
- The right to be represented by an attorney if you are able to retain one. Unfortunately, the Board of Education will not appoint an attorney to represent the student.
- The right before the hearing to get all the documents the school will present at the hearing
- The right to cross examine the witnesses presented by the school
- The right to present the student’s version of events by calling witnesses and providing other evidence.
The maximum length of the expulsion is 180 days (one academic year). Therefore, a critical aspect of the expulsion hearing is to present mitigating evidence to decrease the length of the expulsion in case there is one. Lack of prior school discipline, academic achievement, character references and a plan to make sure the behavior is not likely to occur again can all be persuasive.
There is no right to appeal an expulsion hearing – the decision is final. Present your case effectively the first time around.
Please contact me to discuss Connecticut school expulsion hearings and for any arrests resulting in Juvenile Court involvement.