Arizona Teacher Criminal Reporting: Teachers and The Law
An anonymous survey that went out to seven elementary schools in 2005 found that 45% of teachers admitted to having bullied a student, according to reporting by thoughtco.com.
Those are self-reported figures!
While bullying a student may or may not technically be a crime (depending on what the teacher specifically did). It points to a disturbing trend that many teachers are willing to cross lines they shouldn’t. It is why it is so important that we all understand how the law relates to the teaching profession. And how the professionals at Stark Law can help if you’re accused of violating the law as a teacher.
Today, we will walk you through some of the questions teachers often have for us when they arrive at our offices.
Links of Interest:
How Does a DUI Affect Your Arizona Teaching Certificate?
A DUI charge is a dire situation, and it points to a complete lapse of judgment on the person convicted of this charge. It is not an automatic guarantee that the board will strip someone convicted of a DUI of their Arizona teaching license. Still, there is a strong chance that this will be the case. It often comes down to the circumstances surrounding the incident and the judge overseeing the court case.
Suppose the drunk driving incident does not cause serious bodily harm or injury to another person. In that case, the Board of Education may grant you some mercy and not strip you of your teaching license. However, the bare minimum consequence you may face is intense difficulty applying for new jobs.
Can You be a Teacher in Arizona with a Misdemeanor?
The way the law is written in Arizona, it is necessary for a judge to immediately report to the Board if a teacher has been convicted in a misdemeanor case. The Board of Education will ultimately determine what to do with this information.
Certain offenses will get a teacher’s certificate revoked every time, including:
- Felonies of any kind
- Sexual offenses
- Drug offenses
- Endangering the welfare of others
These automatic disqualification events will ensure that a teacher cannot get a job within the Arizona school system. That said, those convicted of less severe offenses may still be able to teach within the system. It depends on how powerful the charge is. And then how the Board of Education and the judge in the case view the circumstances.
Arizona Teacher Unprofessional Conduct Dismissal (AAC R7-2-1308)
A particular set of individuals in Arizona can determine a teacher’s conduct during their time teaching. This group of individuals is known as a Professional Practices Advisory Committee (PPAC), designated to take care of the various aspects of a claim of unprofessional conduct.
The committee is to deal with the certification or recertification of a teacher related to matters of immoral or unprofessional conduct. The committee may determine if there are reasons to consider the following steps:
- Revocation of a teacher’s certificate to teach
- Suspension of a teacher’s certification to teach
- Demand for the teacher to surrender their certificate to teach
Those are all steps that the committee has the right to take, and it is something that teachers need to be aware of in case they are ever subjected to having to confront this board.
Arizona Reporting of Teacher Criminal Convictions (ARS 13-3990)
All teachers must be aware that in Arizona, judges are required to report any type of criminal conviction that any teacher may have to the Board of Education.
It is not optional, so teachers must be aware that the school can monitor their actions outside the classroom as closely as they take in school. Additionally, they may be under some added pressure to get things just right to ensure they don’t end up putting their job at risk.
Many educators have a reputation in the community that they do not want to put on the chopping block. It is also essential to consider this when looking at what ramifications can happen when you take actions that aren’t within your typical characteristics.
Arizona Teacher Fingerprint Clearance Card Suspension
Arizona has mandated that all educators in the state must carry a designated Fingerprint Clearance Card. This card provides the designated fingerprints necessary to put on file to verify that someone is who they say they are and that they have clear identification established with the state. They do this to ensure that the educator has not been convicted of any crime they have not previously disclosed to the authorities. All parents and school districts must have the information they need regarding the people teaching their children.
Why Our Attorneys are Helpful
At Stark Law, we represent many teachers who have found themselves entangled in the web of regulations we have detailed above. It can be a challenge for anyone to keep up with every little thing they are supposed to do to meet all of these requirements. They may need some help defending themselves if accused of violating some regulations required in Arizona.
Additionally, our team stands prepared to defend any educator who comes to us looking for a legal defense against accusations made against them.
False allegations are real, and it may be necessary to protect oneself against those accusations if they happen to you.
Our experienced team is happy to step up to the plate for you and ensure you receive the most potent legal defense against false accusations. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to get started for more information on the steps we take to protect you.
Arizona Board of Education Attorney
Reach out to us today to learn more about our Arizona Board of Education License Defense Attorney.