The notice must include the date of the incident and a description of your actions that caused the school to recommend your suspension. This description must be detailed enough that you know what they’re talking about. You typically aren’t entitled to a formal hearing for a short-term suspension, but you do have the right to request an informal hearing or conference with the principal and explain your actions or present evidence in your defense. The suspension notice either will include a date for an informal hearing or tell you what you need to do to request one.
This is a situation in which you need to be up front and honest with your parent or guardian. If you are guilty of the infraction with which the school has charged you, don’t tell your parent or guardian otherwise. The more open and honest you are, the easier it will be for your parent or guardian to help you. Keep in mind that they don’t want you to get suspended any more than you do. It’s easier to pursue alternatives to suspension if everyone has all the facts and is working with the same information. If there are legitimate reasons that your involvement in the incident was over-stated – say, because you happened to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time – let your parent or guardian know.
Your school may require the request to come from your parent or guardian instead of you directly. Make sure the form is filled out and signed by the correct person. If your parent or guardian refuses to sign the form or write a letter, speak to your school’s guidance counselor and find out what other options are available.
The notice may include additional information about the hearing procedure so you have a better idea of what to expect. If there are statements of your rights, read them carefully. They tell you what you can do to defend yourself in the school suspension hearing, including the types of evidence allowed, whether you can bring witnesses, and whether you can have an attorney.
Make sure the offense with which you’ve been charged is one listed in the school’s handbook as punishable by suspension. If not, you can essentially argue that the punishment doesn’t fit the crime. You also need to find out if your infraction results in mandatory suspension, or if there are alternatives. Typically schools will attempt alternative means of discipline and reserve suspension as a last resort. If alternatives are available and haven’t been explored, you can bring them up at your hearing. The school handbook also typically has a section describing the procedures used when a student is suspended. Read these so you know what to expect.
Check your record against the school’s handbook to determine if suspension is appropriate. For example, if your school has a “three strikes” type of rule that mandates suspension after three incidents resulting in in-school suspension in one semester, you may be off the hook in terms of the suspension if you can show you were sent to in-school suspension twice last year, but only once this semester. You also should look for positive marks or notes on your record. You can use these in your defense to demonstrate that the behavior was out of character for you.
Teachers and coaches who are willing to speak up in your defense can be excellent witnesses – both as character references and as eyewitnesses to the incident itself, if they were there. Be cautious about taking statements from fellow students, particularly if they also were implicated in the incident or are facing disciplinary action for an identical or similar infraction. If the principal thinks you and the other student made a deal with each other to provide supportive witness testimony for each other, the student’s statements could end up doing you more harm than good. For informal suspension hearings, you may not be able to bring witnesses with you. However, you typically can have them give you written statements to present to the principal or hearing officer.
Particularly if you have special needs that may have affected your behavior, you have rights in a disciplinary situation that differ from other students. An attorney can explain these to you. Since you typically won’t be able to consult with or hire an attorney on your own, talk to your parent or guardian if you think an attorney could benefit your defense. Your parent or guardian may be worried about attorney’s fees. However, many attorneys provide a free initial consultation, and you can use this to your advantage.
Your appearance and demeanor can play a large part in the outcome of your hearing. For this reason alone, it’s important to be prepared. As in a criminal trial, you have the right to remain silent at your hearing. However, when you do defend yourself, nothing you say can be used in any other proceeding – not a school disciplinary hearing on another matter, nor in any juvenile court proceeding. Make detailed notes of what you want to say, and practice speaking in front of a mirror or using your family members as an audience. Keep practicing until you feel comfortable and confident about the statement you’ve prepared. Keep any documents or evidence you plan to show the principal or hearing officer neat and in good condition. It’s a small thing, but if someone gives you a written statement and you keep the paper unwrinkled and clean, it shows that you’re capable of exercising respect and good care.
If your school has a uniform, plan on wearing that – even if your hearing doesn’t take place on a school day, or a time when school is in session. Otherwise, dress as you would for a job interview or a respectful ceremony such as graduation. Stand up straight and look the principal or hearing officer in the eye. Don’t speak unless you are asked a question or told you can speak. If the principal asks you a question, stop speaking and answer him or her immediately. Don’t resume talking until the principal signals for you to continue.
Pay attention, and be mindful of your body language. Hold your hands behind your back if you’re prone to fidgeting. You don’t want to cross your arms and appear defiant. You also want to avoid sighing, rolling your eyes, or otherwise looking as though you don’t care about what’s being said. Don’t interrupt, even if you disagree with something that was said. You will have a chance to speak later, but if it simply can’t wait, raise your hand. The principal either will ask what’s on your mind or tell you to wait.
When you’re speaking, address the principal either as “sir” or “ma’am” unless your school has a specific mode of address preferred for administrative officials. Refrain from using casual phrases or slang as much as possible, and avoid curse words at all costs. If you’re interesting in alternatives to suspension, such as community service, express this interest to the principal. Keep in mind the principal probably doesn’t want to suspend students either, if he or she has any alternative that will achieve the same goals. Express your regret for your role in the incident where appropriate. If there are people harmed as a result, you might mention any actions you’ve taken to make amends with those people.
If the principal or hearing officer decides to go forward with the suspension, you typically will get information regarding how you can appeal that decision. You only have a limited period of time to appeal the decision. An appeal may be a good idea if you believe you were unfairly suspended, or if there was evidence or information you weren’t able to discuss at the informal hearing. Even if you will have already served out your suspension by the time your appeal is heard, a successful appeal can keep the suspension off your permanent record, so it won’t continue to affect you in the future.
