FILE: JCABC
INTERROGATIONS
The St. John the Baptist Parish School Board fully recognizes the responsibility police or child protection agencies have to protect all citizens by enforcing the laws of the community. The School Board, in turn, has the responsibility to protect the students attending the schools of the district. Therefore, public agency officials may visit the school to obtain information or on other official business. Any public agency official entering school premises, however, shall be required to report first to the office of the principal, state his/her purpose, and produce proper identification.
Any time the questioning of a student (under 18 years of age) by law enforcement authority is in order, the parent or guardian of the student must be present.
When a student is being questioned about activities which might lead to police involvement, in order to protect the student’s rights, he/she must be advised of the following:
That he/she has the right to remain silent.
That any statement he/she does make may be used as evidence against him/her.
That he/she has the right to the presence of an attorney and/or a parent/guardian.
If the principal determines that the student does not comprehend his/her rights, or upon the student’s request, the principal shall contact the student’s parents/guardians before the student is questioned.
If drugs are possessed, transferred, or sold on school property, immediate action will be taken to cooperate with law officials in the apprehension of the individual(s) responsible and in confiscation of the drugs.
The student’s school activities shall not be interrupted for police interrogation when the issue concerns activities unrelated to school time, school property, or official school-sponsored functions.
Revised: April 20, 2023
Ref: La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:81
Board minutes, 4-20-23
St. John the Baptist Parish School Board