Arizona Student Defense Attorney | Protecting Students’ Rights

At just 8.1%, Asian Americans saw the lowest admission rate of any racial group into Harvard between 1995 and 2013. This fact, among others, has encouraged some Asian-American students to file a lawsuit against the University, alleging racial bias in their admissions practices. 

They first brought the case in 2018, and Federal District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs ruled in Harvard’s favor in October 2019. In 2020, the First Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the original decision. However, in January 2022, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear the case. 

The students, in this case, are exercising their right to an attorney. In their particular case, the students are the plaintiff, and Harvard University is the defendant. However, the roles could also be reversed, and a student may require a defense attorney. 

Today, we will examine why a student in Arizona may require a defense attorney and what Chelle Law can do about helping to get them that representation. 

Cyberbullying: How a Defense Attorney Can Help

Bullying is seen in an increasingly serious light in the school system these days. Not only is in-person bullying a potential problem among students in a school system, but it is also necessary to be aware that cyberbullying is also a severe issue.

Cyberbullying is an extensive category of bullying that can include many different actions. Stopbullying.gov defines what cyberbullying looks like: 

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation.

This definition is broad and lengthy, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the state law covers all aspects of bullying detailed within. Each state has varying definitions of cyberbullying from a legal perspective, and what qualifies in one state may not be in another. Add to that that people can misunderstand certain actions, and you can see how a student may be wrongfully accused of criminal cyberbullying.

Fortunately, attorneys at Chelle Law have extensive training and experience in combatting cyberbullying claims in court. Our team knows the laws in Arizona, and we will put up a fierce defense for our clients.

No student deserves to have their reputation tarnished by false accusations lobbed at them by another. We work diligently to put a stop to this immediately.

Physical Assault Charges | Criminal Defense

There is no question that teachers face a tough job. However, it’s also the case that many students in our schools today go through many challenging issues at home. We mustn’t breeze past this; it is always best when those students can receive the help they need before problems spill over into the classroom. That said, students accused of physically attacking a teacher or other school employee need to get a defense attorney immediately. 

Last year, the Arizona legislature revised a statute in the law on a physical attack on a teacher or school employee. They revised the law to state that such an attack would be treated as a Class 3 misdemeanor. Thus, a student could receive charges that land them in juvenile detention. Worse, depending on their age at the time of the offense, this event could have a lasting impact on their ability to find work and function normally in the world. It is a severe matter that people need to treat as such. 

Our team of seasoned lawyers can provide the criminal defense that a student may require if they are accused of a crime against a teacher. They must receive the legal defense needed to keep themselves safe from the consequences that could befall them if they are convicted of this charge. Putting up a spirited defense against a serious charge is imperative.

General Criminal Charges

Students may be charged with any type of crime other Arizonians can also be charged with. Data from college campuses shows an average of 18.7 crimes per 10,000 full-time students. It is a significantly high number and should be paid attention to.

Some of the most common charges against college students include the following: 

• Burglary (32%)
• Rape (24%)
• Fondling (20%)
• Motor Vehicle Theft (7%)
• Aggravated Assault (7%)

Every one of these charges is serious, and it is necessary to defend against them if accused of these behaviors. One should take these matters extremely seriously, and those who face charges like this need to take action immediately to reduce the harm level. The attorneys at Chelle Law can help guide you in the steps you should take to minimize the damage.

Whenever anyone faces a legal matter far beyond their ability to handle on their own, it is time to look at the possibility of hiring a lawyer to help with these matters. The stakes are too high to leave anything to chance.

The attorneys with Chelle Law have plenty of experience in dealing with legal issues that may arise in a student’s case. No matter the case’s specifics, things will be better under the guidance of trained professionals who know what to do. We provide that service.

Worried about the circumstances that you find yourself in now? If so, don’t hesitate to contact us to set up a free consultation. Our team will sit with you and discuss your options moving forward.

Special Education Attorney for Students | Arizona Defense Attorneys

Statistics indicate that about 112,000 students in Arizona fall under the special needs category. That’s about 11% of the total student population, which suggests that this is a major issue that parents and learning institutions need to understand. Unfortunately, some parents don’t know what special education means.

In the United States, the Disabilities Education Act protects the rights of students with disabilities using various approaches. One of the main approaches in the country is using a Least Restrictive Environment, commonly known as LRE, to enable such students to acquire their education easily.

As a parent, you must understand your child’s rights under the Disabilities Education Act. It will ensure that you can make informed decisions about their education and ensure that they receive the best possible education. If you have any questions, seek legal advice about your child’s rights, or need assistance in ensuring that they receive the best possible education, contact an experienced Arizona special education attorney.

At Chelle Law, we understand the unique challenges parents of children with disabilities face. We are here to help you navigate the special education process and ensure that your child receives the best possible education. Contact us or visit our office today to schedule a meeting. 

Discipline Attorney for Students | Arizona Defense Lawyer

As a parent, receiving a phone call regarding your child’s disciplinary issues in school is never easy.

Naturally, you’ll want to defend them and probably question the punishment selected by the school. In extreme cases, your child might be facing suspension or expulsion. In the 2015-16 academic year, 13.9% of black and 10.4% of native students were suspended from schools in Arizona for disciplinary issues. 

If your child is facing an investigation relating to disciplinary issues, an Arizona student defense lawyer can help. Experienced attorneys at Chelle Law can work with you to construct a formidable defense while fighting for your child to continue their education.

Chelle Law Attorneys Can Help

You should contact an attorney if your child’s rights have been violated. They can help you understand the law and protect your child’s rights. You must follow every step in the process correctly, so your child has the best chance of success.

At Chelle Law, we have experience in handling student discipline cases. We know the law and how to protect your child’s rights. Contact us today to schedule a consultation. We will fight for your child and get them the best possible outcome.

Arizona Reporting of Teacher Criminal Convictions

What are the criminal reporting requirements for teachers in Arizona?

Say a teacher in Arizona holds a license and teaches at a public, private, or charter school. I’m speaking to grades K-12. Suppose you teach any of those grades and receive criminal conviction of criminal charges. In that case, the court will report your criminal conviction to the State Board of Education.

They’ll hand over any of their findings of:

• Facts
• Conclusions of law
• Evidence
• Anything that led up to your criminal conviction

It is a requirement by Arizona Revised Statute 13-3990.

Educators’ Background Check Laws in Teaching

The court clerk will hand over those documents to the State Board of Education for any conviction. So, this is important to remember as an educator. Suppose this happens, and they pass it to the State Board of Education. In that case, it may be an act of unprofessional or immoral conduct. That is especially anything having to do with a minor:

• If they’re a victim of the crime 
• They get into danger, or any child abuse or violent substance abuse 

All of which would likely go under investigation by the State Board of Education.

It’s essential to report it yourself, but know that if there’s a conviction in Arizona, the court will send it directly to the State Board of Education. Suppose you receive a sentence for a criminal act outside of the state. Then, you would want to look at those state laws and maybe do some research, but you’ll likely have to self-report anyway.

So, keep that in mind in the future. And as I said, if the State Board of Education considers it potentially unprofessional or immoral conduct, they’ll open an investigation. There are discipline guidelines for immoral or unprofessional conduct.

You can negotiate a settlement and agree on the discipline, the findings of facts, and the conclusions of the law. Or if you decide you want to take it to a hearing with the Professional Practices Advisory Committee. The takeaway is in getting a conviction for a criminal act within Arizona, the court will forward all that information to the State Board of Education. An investigation will likely proceed with those findings.

Teachers Who Have a DUI | Drunk Driving Teacher With DUI/DWI

In Arizona, receiving a criminal conviction for DUI offenses may also mean facing harsh penalties. Teachers with a DUI conviction can endanger their occupation—losing a job you love, and one many depend on can mean a significant change in life. It is possible, however, to maintain your teaching credentials even if you get DUI offenses.

Fingerprint Clearance Cards for Teachers

Arizona requires teachers to have fingerprint clearance card because they work with children and young people. The card allows a person to work in a position of trust. If there are criminal convictions in the teacher’s background, they will get denied a card. If they already have a card when a criminal conviction occurs, they can have their card revocation or card suspension. They can lose their job.

Conviction of a DUI

Once a criminal conviction occurs, you could lose your teaching certificate and get fired immediately. In some cases, you might be able to continue teaching, but you won’t be able to renew your contract. It will depend on the case itself.

Arizona Teacher Sexual Relationship with a Student Issues

Establishing a sexual relationship with a student by a teacher is always wrong, even if that student is of legal age to consent (18 in most places). The power dynamic between a teacher and a student is real, and having a sexual relationship in those conditions is inappropriate. Thus, it can violate criminal laws and the school district’s code of conduct. As such, it is one of the fastest ways a teacher can lose their privilege to teach in the district.