‘Tis the Season for Academic Sanctions – What Parents Need to Know

This is the time of year when, sometimes, even good boys and girls go a little wild.

The prom season is upon us, and commencement ceremonies are imminent – which means that senior activities, both in and out of high school, are likely in full swing. “After Proms,” graduation practice, parties, and even Senior Skip Days are prime opportunities for kids to let loose.

I think if we all took a stroll down memory lane, we’d remember the one classmate who pulled a senior prank (and got busted), drank a little bit too much cheap liquor during prom (and got busted), or skipped school one or five too many times (and got busted).

When I take that stroll, I remember That Kid being horrified, and even angry, that the administration threatened not to let him walk with his friends for graduation. I remember it being a big deal, both with school administration, teachers, and classmates. I remember parents not being pleased.

Now, as an adult, I know it’s a big deal – and I know exactly how displeased parents can get.

Fast forward, and all these years later, I’m a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney who has represented numerous students in high school and college who needed a little help navigating the academic sanctions process.

My firm has represented students facing academic suspension, expulsion, and other serious ramifications. And I want to make sure – especially at this time of year, when the culmination of 12 or 13 years of academic work is in the balance – that parents know that if their son or daughter gets in trouble in the waning days of his or her high school career, they are not only entitled to be represented by a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney, but it’s also highly recommended.

It’s not just high school kids who face academic sanctions. Colleges also have them, and with the days getting longer, those students are also letting loose. The disciplinary procedures in institutes of higher learning can often be even more harsh than high school ones. Student athletes have more on the line, for example, if they are hoping to go pro after graduation. Students who are on scholarships could potentially lose their funding, ending their academic career.

Students might find themselves facing not just academic sanctions but criminal charges, as well. Often, universities will academically discipline a student for criminal charges they received, even if the crime did not happen on campus or at a school-sponsored event. Between the two, a student’s future beyond college is in jeopardy. Some employers don’t want workers with criminal records. And, some professions, like teaching, disallow people who have committed certain crimes.

If your son or daughter is facing academic discipline procedures, please know that they can be confusing, and the ramifications severe and far-reaching. Just like you wouldn’t go into a criminal court hearing without a Pittsburgh criminal defense attorney, it might be most wise to solicit the services of an attorney adept in working in the world of academia – and its various disciplinary boards and procedures.

At Logue Law Group, we handle enough of these types of cases that we even contract with a local lawyer who has also long served as a school director and who has in-depth knowledge and understanding of the ins and outs of student discipline matters.

So, if your son or daughter gets into a jam, don’t freak out. Give me a call and let me or one of my associates help. Don’t wait to call. The longer you wait to hire legal representation, the more difficult it will be to obtain a good outcome for your child’s case, an outcome that will allow him or her to walk at commencement with friends and classmates.

The attorneys at Logue Law Group are available 24/7 at 844.PITT.DUI or 844.PITT.DUI. Or, you can contact us online.