What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Georgia
My 17 year old son was charged with Criminal Trespass by an Officer of the XX School District Department of Public Safety. He is currently enrolled as a student in this same school district at a different campus and happened to be at "HER/THE OFFICER'S" campus to pick up some of his friends after school had been dismissed.
I have several questions/concerns because the campus he "supposedly" committed this offense/crime is his 'home school' that he will be receiving his high school diploma from. There wasn't any sort of altercation, fight, or problems, but apparently his mere presence at the school offended the officer. She was adamant when I spoke with her on the telephone that my son CANNOT step foot on ANY XX XX School District campus except for the one he attends. She even stated to me, in NO uncertain terms, that he CANNOT EVEN ATTEND A BASKETBALL GAME!!.
It's also important to note that I first heard about all this from a counselor at the campus my son attends. The counselor was on the phone with me saying she got an e-mail from the principal of his home school and she was trying to give me a "heads up". Quite admirable on the counselor's part if you ask me. While the counselor and I were talking, the Officer from the home school walked in to the counselors office to inform us about the charges. That's when I had the pleasure of speaking with the "Officer" on the telephone.
I asked if it would be a problem if my son went to see a program/event at the school where his little brother attends (who is a 6th grader in the same district) and she said "NO!! He cannot go to any XXX School District campus".
I asked her if he could provide transportation to some of the other students in our neighborhood if they missed the bus and she told me again "NO!! He cannot go to any XX School District campus".
I feel my son is being unfairly treated and discriminated against. With the arrest, he is potentially missing out on future employment and educational opportunities.
By the way, it took a full week before this officer had the time to swear out the warrant for his arrest. I believe that is unreasonable and if someone is committing a crime, they should be apprehended and arrested ON THE SPOT.
She also told me that "As a courtesy, I'll let you know when I take out the warrant so that you can turn him in and avoid the embarrassment of Sheriff Deputies coming to your home". Well, she LIED. The XX Sheriff Deputies (2) came to my home the following week and thankfully, they were kind & polite. At least they allowed me to turn him in 'after he got our of school' instead of going to the campus he attends to arrest him.
Perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions, but, my son is white/hispanic and most of his friends are black. I am white and my husband is hispanic. We have 3 children that attend XX School District campuses. I graduated from the same high school in 1983. My oldest son graduated last September from the same high school (diploma to be given at the end of the current school year). My son that was arrested is to graduate next month from the same high school (diploma to be given at the end of the current school year). My 12 year old is a student in middle school in this same district.
I also think it's relevant to mention that me and my husband own 2 homes in this county as well as a business. We pay our PROPERTY TAXES to XX and the City of XX . We pay our INCOME TAXES to the State of Georgia and the US Treasury. If you look up the policies of our school district, they refer to us as 'consumers'?!?!?!?!
The XX School District has not responded to my inquiries nor has anyone from XX High School told me what to do regarding graduation ceremony attendance. Isn't it scary to think your child (children) could be arrested for getting their high school diplomas?????
Also, in the time since my son was arrested for this 'crime', has been to two school-sponsored events at other XXX School District campuses to tutor elementary students in math and mentor middle school students. Thankfully, the Officer that pressed these charges was not present because he could have "technically" been arrested again. My son has also worked on a school-sponsored church clean up project in our community - something else this officer might have a problem with. SHE HAS THE POWER AND IT IS BEING ABUSED. I believe it's called excessive & arbitrary abuse of power.
Please, please advise. Any comments are also welcome in the event other parents and their children are being treated in the same manner.
My 17 year old son was charged with Criminal Trespass by an Officer of the XX School District Department of Public Safety. He is currently enrolled as a student in this same school district at a different campus and happened to be at "HER/THE OFFICER'S" campus to pick up some of his friends after school had been dismissed.
I have several questions/concerns because the campus he "supposedly" committed this offense/crime is his 'home school' that he will be receiving his high school diploma from. There wasn't any sort of altercation, fight, or problems, but apparently his mere presence at the school offended the officer. She was adamant when I spoke with her on the telephone that my son CANNOT step foot on ANY XX XX School District campus except for the one he attends. She even stated to me, in NO uncertain terms, that he CANNOT EVEN ATTEND A BASKETBALL GAME!!.
It's also important to note that I first heard about all this from a counselor at the campus my son attends. The counselor was on the phone with me saying she got an e-mail from the principal of his home school and she was trying to give me a "heads up". Quite admirable on the counselor's part if you ask me. While the counselor and I were talking, the Officer from the home school walked in to the counselors office to inform us about the charges. That's when I had the pleasure of speaking with the "Officer" on the telephone.
I asked if it would be a problem if my son went to see a program/event at the school where his little brother attends (who is a 6th grader in the same district) and she said "NO!! He cannot go to any XXX School District campus".
I asked her if he could provide transportation to some of the other students in our neighborhood if they missed the bus and she told me again "NO!! He cannot go to any XX School District campus".
I feel my son is being unfairly treated and discriminated against. With the arrest, he is potentially missing out on future employment and educational opportunities.
By the way, it took a full week before this officer had the time to swear out the warrant for his arrest. I believe that is unreasonable and if someone is committing a crime, they should be apprehended and arrested ON THE SPOT.
She also told me that "As a courtesy, I'll let you know when I take out the warrant so that you can turn him in and avoid the embarrassment of Sheriff Deputies coming to your home". Well, she LIED. The XX Sheriff Deputies (2) came to my home the following week and thankfully, they were kind & polite. At least they allowed me to turn him in 'after he got our of school' instead of going to the campus he attends to arrest him.
Perhaps I'm jumping to conclusions, but, my son is white/hispanic and most of his friends are black. I am white and my husband is hispanic. We have 3 children that attend XX School District campuses. I graduated from the same high school in 1983. My oldest son graduated last September from the same high school (diploma to be given at the end of the current school year). My son that was arrested is to graduate next month from the same high school (diploma to be given at the end of the current school year). My 12 year old is a student in middle school in this same district.
I also think it's relevant to mention that me and my husband own 2 homes in this county as well as a business. We pay our PROPERTY TAXES to XX and the City of XX . We pay our INCOME TAXES to the State of Georgia and the US Treasury. If you look up the policies of our school district, they refer to us as 'consumers'?!?!?!?!
The XX School District has not responded to my inquiries nor has anyone from XX High School told me what to do regarding graduation ceremony attendance. Isn't it scary to think your child (children) could be arrested for getting their high school diplomas?????
Also, in the time since my son was arrested for this 'crime', has been to two school-sponsored events at other XXX School District campuses to tutor elementary students in math and mentor middle school students. Thankfully, the Officer that pressed these charges was not present because he could have "technically" been arrested again. My son has also worked on a school-sponsored church clean up project in our community - something else this officer might have a problem with. SHE HAS THE POWER AND IT IS BEING ABUSED. I believe it's called excessive & arbitrary abuse of power.
Please, please advise. Any comments are also welcome in the event other parents and their children are being treated in the same manner.
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