newcreation58
Junior Member
What is the name of your state? Pennsylvania
Yesterday, 1/24/2008, my 14 year old daughter was turned in for smoking a cigarette in school. She is not allowed to smoke, by law or by my law, but she was influenced by her friend and she made a poor choice, obviously. I know that she has the right to have a parent present before being questioned because I read this website. I also know that she has the right for a lawyer to be present before questioning for the same reason, the website. Thank you! Before I get to my question, I need to give a short background. My family has never had extra money, in fact, we are poor. This is a fact that my daughter is well aware of because she doesn't have the things that other kids her age have, etc., etc.
She was being questioned about the smoking, and she admitted taking a drag (she used the word "puff") of the cigarette. As soon as she admitted to that, the principal succinctly informed her that her choice was going to cost her $221.00 and that she was going to be suspended from school. The principal did this without her parents or legal representation being present. He did not inform her of her rights and did not try to contact us until she was crying uncontrollably in the office, hyperventillating and spitting up into a garbage can.
My question is this: Do I have any legal recourse against the school official? I am not a lawsuit happy person, but she is baby, and I am extremely angry about this abuse of her rights.
Yesterday, 1/24/2008, my 14 year old daughter was turned in for smoking a cigarette in school. She is not allowed to smoke, by law or by my law, but she was influenced by her friend and she made a poor choice, obviously. I know that she has the right to have a parent present before being questioned because I read this website. I also know that she has the right for a lawyer to be present before questioning for the same reason, the website. Thank you! Before I get to my question, I need to give a short background. My family has never had extra money, in fact, we are poor. This is a fact that my daughter is well aware of because she doesn't have the things that other kids her age have, etc., etc.
She was being questioned about the smoking, and she admitted taking a drag (she used the word "puff") of the cigarette. As soon as she admitted to that, the principal succinctly informed her that her choice was going to cost her $221.00 and that she was going to be suspended from school. The principal did this without her parents or legal representation being present. He did not inform her of her rights and did not try to contact us until she was crying uncontrollably in the office, hyperventillating and spitting up into a garbage can.
My question is this: Do I have any legal recourse against the school official? I am not a lawsuit happy person, but she is baby, and I am extremely angry about this abuse of her rights.