Rules and Codes
From grammar to high school. From college to post-graduate and professional schools, children and young adults are governed by a series of rules and codes of conduct apart from the laws all of us are obligated to follow every day.
Those rules, regulations, honor codes, and more are hardly uniform. They differ from school district to school district, private school to private school, college to college, postgraduate program to postgraduate program.
Every school is duty bound to provide a safe, fair environment for students to reach their potentials. Every school is duty bound to treat every student the same. Every school is duty bound to follow their rules, regulations, and procedures.
Sometimes a school fails to live up to those standards. Sometimes a school – for whatever reason – tries to suspend, expel, demote, or otherwise penalize a student unfairly.
When this occurs The Hahn Legal Group APC is there to protect the student’s rights.
Education Law Issues in California
The Hahn Legal Group APC represents students and their parents with educational law concerns. At any grade level. At any age.
Educational law concerns are many, varied, and potentially quite complex. They range from a school’s failure to provide special needs assistance to failing to recognize that a student is being bullied to dismissing a college student for a COVID violation.
Over the years, The Hahn Legal Group APC has represented students with disabilities and/or special education needs. While the United States Supreme Court has consistently asserted that “a free and appropriate public education should provide access to specialized instruction” some schools are slow at best, to comply. We can help.
We have also worked with students and their families as they faced:
- suspensions or expulsions for perceived misconduct.
- issues arising from bullying.
- social media ‘violations.’
- Title IX complaints.
- plagiarism.
- Civil Rights issues.
- sexual misconduct.
- unfair/biased grading.
- cheating.
- admission.
- freedom of speech.
- residency.
- sexual harassment.
- other legal issues arising from a student’s relationship with educational institutions.
The Education Law Process
Regardless of the issue, every school district, every school, every college has a process. That process bears little resemblance to the ‘due process’ you see every night on TV. “Guilty until proven innocent” goes out the window when a school thinks it has a behavioral or safety issue. They are liable to suspend first and hold a hearing later. They will usually act with an abundance of caution; they will always take the most expedient path available to them.
Schools have strict deadlines for initial hearings and are not always clear when, where and in what form those hearings will be. Missing a meeting or a deadline, even if it’s due to the school’s mistake, can have devasting consequences.
It is easy for a student and their parents to feel overwhelmed by the process. It is completely normal for the student and their parents to feel emotionally distressed – the stakes, after all, are high.
Timing, however, is everything. Missing even one step of a school’s procedures can have wide-ranging consequences. It can result in a decision in the absence of a defense or mitigating factor. It can also delay the appeal process. What’s more, a civil action cannot be brought in a state or federal court until all the school’s administrative remedies have been exhausted.
Protect your current and future rights by contacting the team at The Hahn Legal Group APC as soon as possible. The earlier we participate in the process the better able we are to preserve your options and rights.
We will analyze your issue and clearly lay your options out. Then we’ll work with you to develop a strategy and the proper approach to take – now and in the future.
We will guide you through the school’s unique process. From the initial hearing to appeal to taking the matter to court The Hahn Legal Group APC will be there every step of the way.
Our experience and knowledge have prepared us for any contingency. We understand how important continuing your education is for your future. We know the stakes are high.
We are committed to your success.
The Hahn Legal Group APC has represented students of all ages in San Diego, and Southern California including Los Angeles, Imperial, Inyo, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties.
