What Can I Do if My Child Was Arrested at School?

 Posted on February 20, 2025 in Juvenile Crimes

Heightened police presence in schools and harsh zero-tolerance policies have led to a drastic increase in the number of juveniles who get arrested at school. Behaviors that used to result in no more than being suspended from school are now getting children handcuffed and charged with criminal offenses. Things like getting into a fight with a classmate, hiding a small amount of marijuana in a locker or making fun of another student online used to be treated as disciplinary issues for the school administration and the student’s parents to handle together. Now, these same rule-breaking behaviors are more likely to get a student arrested than suspended. If your child was arrested in school, you need an experienced Will County, IL juvenile crimes attorney. It is best to contact a lawyer as soon as you learn that your child has been taken into police custody. An attorney can act quickly to protect your child’s rights.

Know Your Rights and Your Child’s Rights 

Juveniles are considered "protected persons," so they have additional rights when they have been taken into custody and are being questioned. The police must make a reasonable effort to contact you if your child is arrested. You are your child’s best advocate and should be given the opportunity to start helping your child right away.

You have the right to be informed and present if school administrators begin questioning your child about a potentially criminal incident. However, the police can begin questioning your child before they reach you, with or without your permission. Your child will be informed that he or she can request an attorney at any time and that questioning will stop until an attorney arrives. However, children do not always have the confidence to stand up to police officers in this way. A juvenile’s right to have an attorney present is automatic only if the child is under 15 years old and is accused of homicide or rape.

What if I Cannot Be Reached Immediately? 

Everyone, including parents, misses phone calls sometimes. If you cannot be reached right away, the police will need to bring in a youth officer before they begin questioning. The youth officer is officially tasked with representing your child’s best interests but is not your child’s friend. The youth officer can help the police with their investigation and build evidence against your child.

Why Your Child Needs an Attorney Immediately 

The more serious the offense your child is charged with, the more critical it is that you find them an attorney quickly. If your child is being charged with a felony, he or she will lose some of the legal protections juveniles are ordinarily given.

You may not have been given enough information about what happened to understand how serious the situation is right away. Parents are sometimes led to believe that their child got into a "little fight on the playground" only to later learn that the other child suffered life-threatening injuries. An attorney is in the best position to quickly get the right information and intervene quickly to ensure your child’s rights are well-protected.

Contact a Will County, IL Juvenile Criminal Defense Attorney 

Law Offices of Jack L. Zaremba, P.C. is committed to protecting the rights of arrested juveniles. Our dedicated Grundy County, IL juvenile crimes lawyers will fight for your child. Contact us at 815-740-4025 for a free consultation.