Home : Student Rights : Due Process/Zero Tolerance

ACLU of Rhode Island Files Lawsuit Challenging Ban of High School Yearbook Photo (12/12/2006)
PROVIDENCE, RI - The American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Portsmouth High School senior Patrick Agin, whose planned yearbook photo was rejected by the principal on the grounds that it violates the school district's "zero tolerance" policy for weapons. In the photo, Patrick is dressed in a medieval chain mail coat with a prop sword over his shoulder, representing his long-standing interest in medieval history.

ACLU Raises Concerns About RI School's "Anti-Bullying" Policy (11/13/2002)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - - Rejecting concerns voiced by the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, the East Providence School Committee last night gave final passage to an overly broad and vague "anti-bullying" policy. The ACLU said it is now considering a legal challenge to the policy.

ACLU Responds with Humor After Louisiana School Bars Girl From Class for Failing to Wear a Belt (03/20/2001)
CHALMETTE, LA - At a news conference today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana presented local high school officials with much needed uniform accessories -- belts inscribed with the ACLU logo -- in response to a complaint filed by a parent after his daughter was removed from class for violating the dress code by not wearing a belt. 

ACLU Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Maine High School Student Expelled for Taking Pain Reliever (02/01/2001)
PORTLAND, ME - In yet another case of zero tolerance school policy gone awry, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine filed a lawsuit today on behalf of ninth-grader Tracy Jannicelli, who was denied her right to due process when she was expelled by school officials for violating her school's zero tolerance drug policy, which bans possession or use of Tylenol. 

ACLU Lawsuit Charges Hawai'i School Officials and Police with Persecution of 12-Year-Old Girl (11/16/2000)
HONOLULU--School officials and city police officers violated a 12-year-old girl's rights when they had her arrested, handcuffed and partially strip-searched over a missing $20 bill, all without notifying her parents, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i charged in a federal lawsuit today.

Ask Sybil Liberty About Your Right to Fair Treatment (12/31/1997)
ACLU's resident expert, Sybil Liberty, answers common questions about students' rights from a student point of view.

Your Right to Fair Treatment (07/17/2003)