School Safety & Youth Violence: A Legal Primer

The Office of the Surgeon General has identified youth violence as an epidemic. While youth violence has diminished in recent years, it remains a critical issue for public health. School officials have a strong obligation, both moral and legal, to respond to undisciplined youths whose behavior potentially threatens the welfare and safety of other children. Violence in schools raises a variety of legal issues regarding prevention, intervention, and response to crisis. This guidebook seeks to outline the major legal issues faced by schools, including: school liability for violence; search and seizure, threats of violence; zero tolerance policies; and use of student records. The primer is not intended to substitute for legal advice. The information presented is accurate but should serve as a general guideline only and not be taken as legal advice. Index, notes, appendix