ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, ST. MARY’S & PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTIES.
School Related Offenses Defense | Haskell & Dyer
A School Incident Can Mean Two Cases at Once: One in Court, One at School.
An incident at school can bring criminal charges and school discipline like suspension or expulsion, at the same time and on separate tracks. We handle the court side and help you protect your child's standing at school.
For Parents
What your child says to the school can end up in the court case.
School officials and resource officers may question your child, and what is said can flow straight into the criminal matter. The two processes are separate but connected, and a misstep in the school meeting can hurt the court case. Before your child explains anything, talk to us.
Two Separate Tracks
The Court Case and the School Case
One incident sets off two processes. They run on different rules, and your child can face consequences in both.
The Court Side
Juvenile Charges
An incident can become a juvenile charge, like assault, drugs, or property damage, handled through the juvenile court. This is where a record can attach if it is not managed carefully.
The School Side
Discipline & Expulsion
The school runs its own process that can lead to suspension or expulsion, on its own timeline and rules. It moves whether or not the court case does, and it can affect your child's education directly.
What We Handle
Common School-Related Incidents
Many things that happen at school can trigger both a charge and discipline. We handle the full range.
Fights and altercations
Drugs or alcohol at school
Weapon allegations
Threats or disruption
Property damage or vandalism
Theft on campus
Bullying or harassment claims
Incidents on school transportation
What's at Stake
The Consequences Run on Both Fronts
A school incident can touch your child's record and their education at the same time.
Record
A juvenile charge that can affect the future
Suspension
Time out of school that sets your child back
Expulsion
Removal that can upend your child's education
Future
Effects on records, transfers, and applications
How We Defend a School-Related Case
We take on the court charge and help you navigate the school process, so the two do not work against each other.
We Handle the Court Side
We defend the juvenile charge directly, pushing for diversion or dismissal that keeps a record off your child.
We Protect Your Child's Words
We make sure your child does not give statements at school that come back to hurt them in court.
We Guide the School Process
We help you understand the discipline hearing and your rights, so you can protect your child's place in school.
We Coordinate Both
We keep the court strategy and the school response aligned, so a move in one does not damage the other.
Common Questions
School Related Offenses, Answered
Can my child face both a criminal charge and school discipline for one incident?
Yes. The criminal case and the school discipline process are separate, and an incident can trigger both at once. They run on different rules and timelines, which is why it helps to handle the court side while understanding the school side at the same time.
The school wants to question my child. Should they answer?
Not before talking to a lawyer. What your child says to school officials or a resource officer can flow into the criminal case. The safest step is to hold off on statements and call us so we can guide what happens next and protect your child.
Is a school resource officer the same as a regular police officer?
In many situations, yes, when it comes to your child's rights. A resource officer can be involved in building a criminal case, so statements to them can carry the same weight. That is one more reason to be careful about what your child says at school.
Can you help with the suspension or expulsion hearing too?
We focus on defending the court case, and we help you understand and prepare for the school discipline process so the two stay aligned. Knowing how the school side works, and protecting your child's words, can make a real difference in both.
Will a school incident end up on my child's permanent record?
It depends on how both sides are handled. On the court side, diversion or dismissal can keep a charge off your child's record, and juvenile records can often be expunged later. On the school side, careful handling can limit the disciplinary fallout. Acting early helps both.
Did Something Happen at School? Protect Your Child on Both Fronts.
A school incident can mean a court case and a discipline hearing at once. Tell us what happened and get an honest read on how to protect your child's record and their education. The first conversation is free.
Need us after hours? Call our 24/7 line: 240-687-0179