How Long Can A School Expulsion Go? Q & A

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995

Many times when a public school student faces expulsion, there is confusion about what this means and how long an expulsion may continue.  Some questions and answers relevant to the length of expulsions in the public school setting, (high school or below) may be helpful to parents.

Is expulsion permanent?  

No.  There is always a listed end date in the expulsion decision.

When can a student return to school after they are expelled?

That depends on the length and type of expulsion imposed, with the maximum time limited by state law.

How long can a public school expulsion be?  

Maximum 1 year for the most heinous situations, such as selling drugs, firearm issues, sexual assault or battery, brandishing a knife and explosives (Cal Ed Code 48915(c)), sometimes called the "Big 5 Offenses."

Can a public school expulsion continue beyond the expulsion time period in the expulsion decision?

Yes.  Although the initial expulsion can only go a maximum 1 year for the worst offenses, like drug sales, if a student does not meet readmission (aka rehabilitation) terms when attempting to reenroll, the student may not be readmitted and their exclusion may continue.

What is the maximum length of expulsion for offenses that are not "Big 5 Offenses?"

Two semesters, starting when the board of education issues their decision, and sometimes starting the semester when the offense occurred.  Examples of school offenses carrying a two semester maximum term include drug possession, sexual harassment, fighting, stealing or theft, damaging school property, threats, extortion, habitual profanity, bullying, receiving stolen school or private property, possession of an imitation firearm, hazing, aiding and abetting (helping) another student to commit great bodily injury, and other offenses. (Cal Ed. Code 48900-15).

What is the minimum term of expulsion if a student is found guilty?

One semester, unless the board decides to issue a lesser punishment, such as a behavior contract.

Does the board of education have to expel a student?

Per state law, not unless it is a proven "Big 5 Offense."  Otherwise, they have discretion to offer alternative punishments as the circumstances warrant.

Best,

 

Michelle Ball

Education Law Attorney 

 

LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL 

717 K Street, Suite 228 

Sacramento, CA 95814 

Phone: 916-444-9064 

Email:help@edlaw4students.com 

Fax: 916-444-1209

Website, Blog, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook

 

Please see my disclaimer on the bottom of my blog page. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting.  This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship. This blog may not reflect the current state of the law.

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Can A Bystander Be Suspended From School?

 By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995

What does it take to issue a valid school suspension?  Does a student have to DO something, or can they just be near someone who does something?  Over the years, I have seen bystanders (aka witnesses) punished by schools when they did nothing but watch others do wrong.  When are students who witness a wrong done by another guilty of an offense which can be properly punished by a school? 

The California Education Code lists out all the potential areas for which a student may be suspended or expelled.  It also lists out things that schools CANNOT punish students for.  Things not listed as suspension-eligible offenses are also not suspendable.  Schools are limited by these state laws, voted in by our legislature.  Of course, the codes can be vague, and cover a LOT of areas of alleged wrong, from arranging a drug sale, to possession of nicotine products.  

But what about bystanders or witnesses to an event?  What about the kid who watches as someone sells drugs to another but says nothing?  Or, the students who run to a fight and just stand there?  Unfortunately, sometimes schools punish students by association, believing as they were there, that they participated in the wrongful action.  

If a school validates a student did not actually commit a wrong, most just obtain their statement about the events and don't suspend the innocent student.  

Some, however, do.

A prime example I have seen is a school which suspended students observing a fight.  It seems that the school morphed a kid standing near a fight into an offender, claiming willful defiance.  I disagree strongly that standing near someone committing an actual prohibited act makes someone guilty of a wrong.  No suspension should issue when a student does not knowingly DO something prohibited.

Under Education Code section 48900(k), students may be suspended for willful defiance or disruption, but only if they are in ninth through twelfth grade, and it is highly questionable whether standing near a fight is defiant.  This in fact could be protected speech.  

These types of alleged bystander offenses should  be challenged by parents.  

The only disclaimer here, is the fact that California courts have sided with the schools, even for offenses which don't "fit" in delineated suspendable offenses, such as the restriction of students' ability to wear an American Flag shirt on Cinco de Mayo, to prevent alleged gang issues.  So, although I see no grounds for bystander offenses, the courts sometimes surprise you, supporting an almost dictatorial control over all kids under a school's authority.  

Best,

 

Michelle Ball

Education Law Attorney 

 

LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL 

717 K Street, Suite 228 

Sacramento, CA 95814 

Phone: 916-444-9064 

Email:help@edlaw4students.com 

Fax: 916-444-1209

Website, Blog, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook

 

Please see my disclaimer on the bottom of my blog page. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting.  This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship. This blog may not reflect the current state of the law.

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School Suspension And Expulsion For Fighting Or Threats of Harm

By Michelle Ball, California Education Attorney for Students since 1995

There are a multitude of bases for student discipline.  One of those bases involves fighting (aka "mutual combat"), threats, and/or physical violence to another.  Such conduct may or may not get a student suspended or placed up for expulsion.

Per California Education Code 48900(a)(1) for a student to be suspended or expelled for this type of conduct, they must have:

- Caused, attempted to cause, or threatened to cause physical 
injury to another person, or

- Willfully used force or violence upon the person of another, 
except in self-defense.

But, what does this mean in "real life?"  It means student fighting, threats to hurt someone (even vague ones), and responding in a physical way when attacked by another student, can get a student punished.

Fighting in schools, unfortunately may not be what you think, as the schools deem anyone responding physically to an attack as being involved in that fight.  

Although self defense is listed as an excuse which should prevent discipline, self defense is rarely accepted as a reason to NOT punish, unless a student who is assaulted runs away to the office, to an adult, or curls up in a fetal position to take the beating...  I am not being sarcastic. 

For example, if a student is hit by another student, and hits back, the schools usually deems this "mutual combat," and suspend both kids, regardless of who started it.  The insertion of the words "except in

self-defense," is very confusing as schools usually ignore this phrase, and suspend students if they engage in any form of physical altercation, and even if the student has no other choice (e.g. they are attacked).  

There are times when schools may allow the self defense "excuse," for example, when it is glaringly obvious, such as with a gang beating, but for the most part in a two student battle, both will be punished regardless of who started it.

Additionally, the mere "threat" of physical harm can get a student punished.  A "hit list" against students or teachers, threats to students or school personnel on social media, in threatening or violent essays, and even drawings of guns and destruction can land a student in the discipline hot seat.  First

Amendment free speech issues may arise, but schools usually ignore such rights if they exist at all, claiming an immediate and disruptive threat.

Whether a student actually will be punished for such conduct each time is up to the school. 

Usually in the student handbook will be a grid with a list of crimes and the possible punishment for each.  With fighting, or other physical harm, the schools will usually allow suspension OR expulsion even on a first offense.

In the "old days," students could probably defend themselves for real and not be suspended, but in our "zero tolerance" world, this is not the case. Students are expected to take a beating or run away so they won't be in trouble.  

Alas, no one ever said that school discipline was logical or reasonable, and I would certainly never make that claim.

Best,

 

Michelle Ball

Education Law Attorney 

 

LAW OFFICE OF MICHELLE BALL 

717 K Street, Suite 228 

Sacramento, CA 95814 

Phone: 916-444-9064 

Email:help@edlaw4students.com 

Fax: 916-444-1209

Website, Blog, Twitter, Youtube, Facebook

 

Please see my disclaimer on the bottom of my blog page. This is legal information, not legal advice and no attorney-client relationship is formed by this posting, etc. etc.!  This blog may not be reproduced without permission from the author and proper attribution of authorship. This blog may not reflect the current state of the law.

Originally published 5/5/11, updated 1/16/18, 8/21/20

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