WILMINGTON, N.C. - A 17-year-old high school student faced a possible 30 days in jail after school resource officers arrested him for using foul language with a teacher.
Ashley High School student Glenn Gattis said he used bad language after he got in trouble with the teacher for being late to class Aug. 25. School resource officers intervened and charged him with disorderly conduct, saying his language was meant to provoke violence.
Gattis and his parents do not deny he cursed and acknowledged he has had other disciplinary problems at school. But they said the misdemeanor criminal charge was an overreaction and have hired a lawyer to fight the charge.
Lt. J.L. Simmons, who oversees resource officers for the sheriff's office, said it is not uncommon for deputies to cite students for disorderly conduct and fighting.
"When things get reckless, we have to do something," he said. "It happens all the time."
School officials declined to comment.
Gattis has an Oct. 20 court date and was also suspended from school for three days.
I have no issues with that. Past diciplinary issues and cussing a teacher? 30 days in jail is fine with me.
If arresting the kid is what it's going to take to teach him some respect, then so be it. He's 17, getting ready to graduate, and needs the real world to slap some sense into him when he does something that stupid.
Yes doctor, I am sick. Sick of those who are spineless. Sick of those who feel self-entitled. Sick of those who are hypocrites. Yes doctor, an army is forming. Yes doctor, there will be a war. Yes doctor, there will be blood.....
If that is illegal in his municipality, then so be it. There have been past instances where this sort of charge has been upheld under appeal.
Personally, I'm all for giving some power back to the teachers. It's a sad state when a teacher is afraid to discipline a 7-year-old for fear of legal retaliation. The kids know this and are running all over their teachers.
I absolutely am for giving some power back to the teachers and I also believe that he should be punished. What I am saying is that unless he threatened her during his outburst, 30 days in jail for cussing seems a bit excessive to me.
I would agree with that comment, Lo. A minor swearing is not something that needs to go on a record that will be reviewed by potential employers in the future. In addition, spending 30 days in jail is potentially worse on a young mind than just about any other punishment. Who knows what will happen to that boy in prison to embitter him against the system.
No, I agree. Slap him with a pile of community service and teach him a lesson about respecting authorities.
I would also like to know what his previous disciplinary issues were. He is a 17-year old HS student. Couldn't they suspend him and give him some type of other punishment??
there are several counties and school systems here in north carolina (i imagine other states have the same laws as well) that basically state a law like this.....imo it is a little extreme, but with repeat offenders i reckon the law should be used to some extent...... i have a uncle that lives in wilmington, i will see if he knows what the previous instances were with this kid......
Lofunzo wrote:I would also like to know what his previous disciplinary issues were. He is a 17-year old HS student. Couldn't they suspend him and give him some type of other punishment??
The article already says they suspended him for 3 days which isn't anywhere near the punishment he deserves since he has past diciplinary action taken against him. 3 days off from school? Heaven forbid such a thing.
30 days in jail for him still sounds good to me. Had it been my son, with the same circumstances, I'd be escorting him to the jail personally if need be.
Yes doctor, I am sick. Sick of those who are spineless. Sick of those who feel self-entitled. Sick of those who are hypocrites. Yes doctor, an army is forming. Yes doctor, there will be a war. Yes doctor, there will be blood.....
Some kids these days have no respect or authority. I went to Catholic school years ago. I didn't dare try any of the crap the kids get away with these days. I blame the parents for this particular kid having the attitude he does. Now the parents have to foot the bill for the lawyer. Now maybe the parents will start disiplining the kid at home. I've said it before and I'll say it here, again, it all starts at home.
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He is a 17-year old HS student. Couldn't they suspend him and give him some type of other punishment??
