Suspension and Expulsion
When your child is facing suspension or expulsion, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In Ohio, school discipline decisions can follow a student for years, even impacting college admissions, scholarships, and extracurricular eligibility. These situations move quickly, and parents are often left feeling overwhelmed, unheard, and unsure of what rights their child actually has.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. The Law Office of Owen M. Patton has years of education law experience you can rely upon. As a former federal attorney for the United States Department of Education, Owen led dozens of investigations stemming from allegations that school districts violated student discipline laws for all students, including students with disabilities. Owen has experience reviewing school discipline policies and procedures, interviewing district staff, mediating alternatives to suspension and expulsion, and ensuring that students with disabilities received the proper protections in disciplinary actions by a school district.
Why School Discipline Matters More Than You Think
A suspension or expulsion isn’t merely a temporary setback. It becomes part of your child’s educational record and colleges, scholarship committees, and even juvenile courts can request those records later.
Ohio schools must follow strict procedures before suspending or expelling a student. But in practice, mistakes happen and issues are not as clear as they initially seem because:
- Evidence is incomplete or one‑sided.
- Students are questioned without parents present or fully understanding their rights.
- Schools fail to provide required notices or deadlines.
- Administrators push for harsh penalties without exploring alternatives.
- Students with disabilities are disciplined without proper evaluations or protections.
Your child deserves a fair process. Your family deserves an advocate.
Common School Discipline Cases We Handle
- Short‑term and long‑term suspensions
- Expulsions
- Emergency removals
- Fighting, Threats, or “Zero Tolerance” Allegations
- Bullying or Harassment Accusations
- Drug, Vaping, or Alcohol Accusations
- Weapons Allegations
- Discipline Involving Students With Disabilities
- Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs)
- Appeals to the District Board of Education or the Ohio Department of Educatio
Take Action Before Your Hearing Date Arrives
Suspension and expulsion cases move quickly. The sooner you involve an attorney, the more options your child has. Your child’s education, reputation, and future are worth protecting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do when a school calls regarding a suspension or expulsion issue?
- Stay calm and take notes.
- Request a written notice of the charges / allegations.
- Do not let your child be questioned alone.
- Request a copy of all evidence from the school.
- Gather all relevant documents, witnesses, and records.
- Request the hearing date and hearing format. Ask who will be present from the school.
- Obtain a copy of your child’s IEP or Section 504 Plan in effect during the date of the incident (if they have one).
Call The Law Office of Owen M. Patton immediately so we may begin obtaining your child’s side of the story, relevant facts, evidence, and witnesses. The Timelines for hearings are strict, so you must act fast.
Does my child have rights during a suspension or expulsion process?
Yes. Ohio law requires schools to provide written notice, explain the allegations, and give your child an opportunity to be heard. For expulsions, the school must schedule a formal hearing and allow you to present evidence, question witnesses, and bring an attorney. Schools don’t always explain these rights clearly, and sometimes they miss steps entirely.
Can the school question my child without me present?
Schools often do. Students may feel pressured, confused, or intimidated. If your child was questioned alone, The Law Office of Owen M. Patton can review what happened, challenge any improper statements, and ensure the school investigation doesn’t rely on unreliable or coerced information.
Will a suspension or expulsion stay on my child’s record?
Yes. Disciplinary actions become part of your child’s educational record, and colleges, scholarship committees, and even juvenile courts can request those records. That’s why it’s critical to fight for the best possible outcome before the decision is finalized.
Can my child be disciplined if they have an IEP or 504 Plan?
Yes, but students with disabilities have additional protections under federal law. Before a school can impose certain discipline, it must determine whether the behavior was related to the child’s disability. Many schools get this process wrong. An attorney ensures the school follows the law and that your child’s rights are fully protected.
Can a suspension or expulsion be appealed?
Yes. Ohio allows parents to appeal suspensions and expulsions to the district board of education. In some cases, further appeals can be made to the Ohio Department of Education or a court. Appeals are time‑sensitive, so it’s important to act quickly.
What if the school says the evidence is “clear”?
Schools often present only their side of the story. An attorney can demand access to video, witness statements, reports, and other evidence the school may not volunteer. Many cases look very different once the full picture is revealed.
We can step in immediately to protect your child’s future and ensure the school follows the law
