Arizona Student Bullying Attorney |  School Bullying

Today, multiple issues affect students’ motivation when it comes to schooling. Bullying is one of the main challenges and has already been highlighted as a leading cause of school absenteeism. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics, 18.2% of Arizona high school students were bullied in 2019.

From the above data, it’s clear that Grand Canyon State is struggling to keep its students safe. Everything is made worse by the Biennial Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, which indicates that 13.4% of Arizona youths were cyberbully victims in 2019. The most unfortunate aspect is that such bullying happened on the school property.

What is Bullying?

The National Bullying Prevention Center defines bullying as “unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time.” This definition implies that for an incident to be considered bullying, there should be an intention to harm someone. The bully must also have some form of power over the victim, which they use to repeat the aggressive behavior.

What If My Child is Being Bullied at School in Arizona?

As highlighted above, School bullying can negatively impact a child’s life. You should take immediate action if you believe they are being bullied. Some of the things you can do to help them include:

Encourage them to Speak-Up

If your child is being bullied, you should encourage and advise them to speak up. This will help them get the support they need to deal with the situation. You should also tell them that it’s not their fault and you are there for them.

Report The Incident to The School

Once you’re sure your child is being bullied especially if they acquire injuries, report the incident to the school. In Arizona, schools are required by law to have a policy in place to deal with bullying. The school should also notify you of the steps to address the issue.

Speak To an Arizona Bullying Attorney

You also have the option of speaking or seeking advice from an experienced Arizona bullying attorney. They will help you understand your options and take the necessary legal action. Speaking with an attorney should be your last resort, as it may escalate the situation.

What Are the Different Types of Bullying in Arizona?

You might have a perception that only physical bullying takes place in schools. However, there are different types of bullying, and each one is just as harmful as the other. Understanding the different types of bullying will enable you to devise the most appropriate solution. The main types of bullying include:

1. Physical Bullying

This is the most common type of bullying. It can range from hitting and kicking to spitting and pushing which causes possible injury. Yes, these types of harassment commonly happen. Also, this violence can involve the destruction of property. It’s common for students who bully others into taking their victim’s belongings and damaging them.

2. Verbal Bullying

Verbal bullying, also known as social bullying, is characterized by using hurtful words. It can involve name-calling, making fun of someone, spreading rumors, and teasing. Students who engage in this type of bullying often do so to make themselves feel better.

3. Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying has increased in recent years due to the rise of social media and other online platforms. It involves the use of technology to bully someone. It can include sending mean texts or emails, posting hurtful comments online, and spreading rumors through social media.

4. Social Bullying

Also known as relational bullying, social bullying involves hurting someone’s reputation or social status. It can include leaving someone out on purpose, rumor-mongering, and gossiping. The goal of social bullying is to make the victim feel isolated and alone.

Arizona Anti-Bullying Required School Policies

Arizona recognizes the seriousness of bullying and has established laws to address the problem. The first law was enacted in 2006, requiring all schools to have a policy to deal with bullying. The second law was enacted in 2009 and expanded the definition of bullying to include cyberbullying. It also required schools to report bullying incidents to the Arizona Department of Education.

The 2009 law also created the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools within the Arizona Department of Education. The office is responsible for providing school support and resources on bullying prevention. It also investigates complaints of bullying and enforces the state’s anti-bullying laws.

How to Report Bullying at an Arizona School?

If you believe that your child is being bullied at school, especially if it caused any type of injury, you should report the incident to the school immediately. You can speak to a teacher, administrator, or counselor. You can also submit a written complaint to the school.

The school will then investigate the incident and take the necessary disciplinary action. The corrective action will depend on the severity of the bullying and the school’s policy. It can range from a warning to expulsion from the school. In some instances, the police may also get involved.

Arizona Cyberbullying Student Protections

In Arizona, cyberbullying is considered a form of bullying and is punishable under state law. The 2009 anti-bullying law expanded the definition of bullying to include cyberbullying. It also requires schools to report bullying incidents to the Arizona Department of Education. This approach has effectively reduced the incidence of cyberbullying in Arizona schools.

However, students are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any cyberbullying incidents to the school. The school will then investigate the incident and take the necessary disciplinary action. There’s no doubt that incidents of cyberbullying have accelerated in recent years. This is due to the rise of social media and other online platforms. Students need to be aware of the dangers of cyberbullying and how to report it.

Contact Arizona Student Bullying Attorney Today for Assistance

As you can see, student bullying is a serious problem in Arizona schools. If your child has been the victim of bullying, you should contact an experienced student bullying attorney today. The attorney will review your case and advise you of your legal options. A lawyer can also help you file a complaint with the school and the Arizona Department of Education.

At Chelle Law, we have successfully represented many students who have been the victims of bullying. We will aggressively fight for your child’s rights and ensure they receive the justice they deserve. 

Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

Arizona Student Defense Attorney | Protecting Student’s 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, is what has encouraged some Asian-American students to file a lawsuit against the University alleging racial bias in their admissions practices. The case was first brought in 2018, and Federal District Court Judge Allison D. Burroughs actually 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 of the fact that cyberbullying is also a serious issue these days. Cyberbullying is a very broad 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 all aspects of bullying that are detailed within are covered by state law. 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 certain actions can be misunderstood, and you can see how a student may be wrongfully accused of criminal cyberbullying. 

Fortunately, attorneys who work at Chelle Law have extensive training and experience in how to combat 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 Attack: Protecting Against Criminal Charges

There is no question that teachers are faced with a very difficult job. However, it is also the case that many students in our schools today are going through a number of challenging and difficult issues at home. We mustn’t breeze past this; it is always best when those students can receive the help they need before issues spill over into the classroom. That being said, students who are accused of physically attacking a teacher or other school employee need to get a defense attorney right away. 

Last year, the Arizona legislature revised a statute in the law pertaining to 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 potentially receive charges that land them in juvenile detention, or even worse, depending on their age at the time of the offense. This could have a lasting impact on their ability to find work and to function normally in the world. It is clearly an extremely serious matter that needs to be treated 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. It is extremely important that they receive the legal defense required to keep themselves safe from the consequences that could befall them if they are convicted of this charge. It is extremely important to put up a spirited defense against a charge as serious as this.

General Criminal Charges

Students may be charged with any of the types of crimes that other Arizonians are as well. Data from college campuses shows an average of 18.7 crimes per 10,000 full-time students. This is a significantly high number and should be paid attention to. Some of the most common charges against college students include: 

• 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 put up a defense against any and all of them if you are the one being accused of these behaviors. These matters should be taken extremely seriously, and those who find themselves facing down charges like this need to take action right away to try to reduce the level of harm. The attorneys at Chelle Law can help guide you in terms of the actions that you should take to try to minimize the damage. 

Whenever anyone is facing a legal matter that is 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 under their belts in dealing with the types of legal matters that may come up in a student’s case. No matter the specifics of the case, 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, please contact us to set up a free consultation. Our team will sit with you and discuss your options moving forward.