arguing with school administrators

[bdjohnson]

i may be interrogated by my school administration today for something harmless that I was partially involved in but not responsible for. I have a feeling they will try to threaten me if I dont implicate others. I know that I can simply refuse to speak but I am sure they will threaten punishment in the form of suspension. It is probably an empty threat but what can I cite to prove that it is unconstitutional for them to force me to implicate others? What organization can help me with this so I can tell them how I will take action?

 

[Platypus]

We need more info to help you with that last question.

 

[chowmein]

tell em you're the son of Habib Marwan

 

[orakle]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
We need more info to help you with that last question.

yeah, what'd you do?

 

[PaidLess]

uhh... the KKK ??? lol j/k ... ummm well unless they have proof that you were involved in this "incident" then i don't see a reason to be scared?!

 

[jjones]

Invite them to go bowling.

 

[bdjohnson]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
We need more info to help you with that last question.

ok the deed in question is the hanging of a giant poster on the side of a building at school that has a student's face on it. It is not done maliciously and the student in question was not involved with the poster though he did endorse it. The administration called him in and is accusing trespassing and threatened suspension and fining for the cost to remove the poster (which is nonexistent because a janitor cut it down effortlessly and it didn't damage the building at all)

 

[Hammer]

easiest way is to have your lawyer present

 

[TheChort]

mention McCarthy's name. Trust me, that'll help you alot.

EDIT: but seriously I'd just keep my mouth shut and answer minimally. If they threaten, don't say anything.

 

[bigrash]

what did you do?

 

[bdjohnson]

Originally posted by: TheChort
mention McCarthy's name. Trust me, that'll help you alot.

explain please

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: bdjohnson
It is probably an empty threat but what can I cite to prove that it is unconstitutional for them to force me to implicate others?

Nothing. The fifth amendment only refers to being forced to incriminate yourself, and additionally this only applies to criminal charges and has nothing to do with being suspended by the school.

What organization can help me with this so I can tell them how I will take action?

Your parents are your best bet, but how were you involved without being responsible in some part?

 

[kranky]

If they think you were involved and want to punish you, they will punish you for being involved. If they want to give you a lesser punishment if you tell them who else was involved, that's an option. But I doubt they will punish you solely for not talking.

If you don't want to talk, don't talk.

By the way, that's an interesting way to claim innocence - "I was partially involved... but not responsible for". Involved is involved.

 

[Marthisdil]

How about starting off admitting that you were a dumbass and go from there?

When will you kids realize that doing things that are "funny" aren't necessarily right. And if nothing else, if they have proof you did it, you were trespassing, and personally, I'd have you charged, and all that good stuff.

<shakes head>

 

[Mathlete]

Step up to the plate and either spill the beans or deal with the consequences.

In the "Real World" choices lead to consequences. You made the choice to be partially involved in the issue so you must accept the consequences.

Yep, it's called responsibility.

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: bdjohnson
ok the deed in question is the hanging of a giant poster on the side of a building at school that has a student's face on it. It is not done maliciously and the student in question was not involved with the poster though he did endorse it. The administration called him in and is accusing trespassing and threatened suspension and fining for the cost to remove the poster (which is nonexistent because a janitor cut it down effortlessly and it didn't damage the building at all)

So what was YOUR involvement? You're the guy on the poster?

If the janitor had to be paid overtime to remove the poster, the cost is probably significant.

 

[TheChort]

Originally posted by: bdjohnson

Originally posted by: TheChort
mention McCarthy's name. Trust me, that'll help you alot.

explain please

I can't tell if your being sarcastic or not, but McCarthy was the spearhead of the Red Scare in Cold War times. He forced actors to implicate others at the threat of being black-listed.
Oh and check my first post, I added some real advice.

 

[Kipper]

Originally posted by: bdjohnson
i may be interrogated by my school administration today for something harmless that I was partially involved in but not responsible for. I have a feeling they will try to threaten me if I dont implicate others. I know that I can simply refuse to speak but I am sure they will threaten punishment in the form of suspension. It is probably an empty threat but what can I cite to prove that it is unconstitutional for them to force me to implicate others? What organization can help me with this so I can tell them how I will take action?

Threaten to sue them.

The only way to get school administrators to move is to a.) threaten to sue, b.) tarnish the school's reputation or c.) put their jobs on the line. Otherwise, administrators do what they do best - advance their personal agendas at the expense of faculty and students.

Edit: After reading the thread, this probably doesn't apply.

 

[squeeg22]

My advice . . . Hire an Al Pacino impersonator and have him do the "Scent of a Woman" final scene about integrity.

[Pacino] . . . I'd take a FLAMETHROWER to this place. [/Pacino]

 

[KarenMarie]

Originally posted by: Marthisdil
How about starting off admitting that you were a dumbass and go from there?

When will you kids realize that doing things that are "funny" aren't necessarily right. And if nothing else, if they have proof you did it, you were trespassing, and personally, I'd have you charged, and all that good stuff.

<shakes head>

I agree 100%!

what is it with the recent spate of posts "I did something wrong, tell me how to not accept responsibility or at the least how to get out of it?"

If you were involved, take your punishment. If you dont wanna name names, then dont. Just step up to the plate, apologize and get it over with.

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: Mathlete
Step up to the plate and either spill the beans or deal with the consequences.

In the "Real World" choices lead to consequences. You made the choice to be partially involved in the issue so you must accept the consequences.

Yep, it's called responsibility.

Pony up, buttercup.

If it was right to do in the first place, you should have nothing to hide now. Unless you have no spine, which wouldn't be unusual in someone your age.

 

[Ime]

Just remember, nobody likes a snitch!

 

[J0hnny]

Honor above all else. I would never own up or snitch. Just don't be a wise-ass about it.

 

[DrPizza]

Well, they know you were involved, you admit to being involved.

There are two routes you can take:

Be cooperative
Be uncooperative

Choose.
Personally, for such a prank, I think how cooperative you are may play a significant role in how you are penalized.

 

[bdjohnson]

i did think this out before I did it and i decided that it didn't harm anyone and that it was worth doing. I'm not running scared at conseuqences that I didn't forsee. I am simply asking for advice in the area of talking to school admins. They don't have a shred of proof that I did it so I'm not really worried.