courts for principals admin days 2013 [compatibility mode]
DESCRIPTION
Steve Williams's session at Administrators Days 2013TRANSCRIPT
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A Principal’s Guide to Custody Disputes, Subpoenas, and Other
Court-Related IssuesSteve Williams Harding & Shultz (402) [email protected]
H & S School Law@SteveisEsteban
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Child Custody “Custody” includes “legal custody” and
“physical custody” Legal – authority and responsibility for
making fundamental decisions regarding child's welfare, including choices regarding education and health Physical – authority and responsibility
regarding child's place of residence and exertion of continuous parenting time for significant periods of time
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Child Custody Joint legal – mutual authority and
responsibility for making mutual fundamental decisions regarding child's welfare, including choices regarding education and health Joint physical - mutual authority and
responsibility regarding child's place of residence and exertion of continuous blocks of parenting time by both parents over child for significant periods of time. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 43-2922.
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Child Custody Documents Property Settlement Agreement Parenting Plan Temporary Orders Decree
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Misc. Custody Issues Visits at school Students who live with grandparents,
guardians or other relatives Children in custody of HHS Stepparents Student born to unmarried parents Paternity established
v. Paternity not established
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Access to Student Records State Section 42-381 – both parents continue to
have “full and equal access” to education records unless court orders to contrary
Federal FERPA: Non-custodial parents have same
rights as custodial Unless there is evidence of a legally binding
document that specifically revokes rights (34 C.F.R. 99.4)
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Access to Student Records Written consent generally required for
anyone other than parent, guardian, or student Special Education - IDEA gives rights to
parents, foster parents, in loco parentis
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Custody, Access, & Parental Decisions
Parental rights resulting from custody arrangements:
TYPE OF CUSTODY
RIGHT TO INSPECT AND REVIEW EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS
RIGHT TO REQUEST AMENDMENT OR REMOVAL OF RECORDS
RIGHT TO ATTEND IEP MEETINGS
RIGHT TO CONSENT TO EVALUATIONS, TO IEP, AND IDEA MATTERS
RIGHT TO FILE FOR DUE PROCESS AND MEDIATION
SOLE CUSTODY(Legal Custody)
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
NON-CUSTODIAN (visitation or physical custody)
Yes Yes Yes No No
JOINT LEGAL CUSTODY
Both parents have this right
Both parents have this right
Both parents have this
right
Each parent has right; Only one
signature required
Each parent has this right
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Access to Children at School Custodial and non-custodial parents
have equal access to children at school subject to any school policies UNLESS there is a court order limiting or eliminating access. In Loco Parentis rights are secondary to
rights of parents. Emergency exception
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Release of Children Same rules as access to children Pauley v. Anchorage SD , 31 P.3d 1284
(Ak. 2001)
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Release of ChildrenPrevention Require certified court orders – review for
limitation or elimination of parental rights ONLY Note and document any restrictions Notify appropriate school personnel
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Release of ChildrenIf Removal is Requested Verify identity of person seeking release Obtain approval for releases not previously
authorized Contact parent if child is reluctant or you
have any concerns Contact law enforcement if necessary
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Release of ChildrenIf Child Taken Without Permission Contact law enforcement Notify parents and school administrators Comply with flagging laws or policies
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Providing Information
Attorneys will generally seek information from you in one of four ways: Informal DiscussionsAffidavitDeposition TestimonyTrial Testimony
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Informal Contacts & Affidavits
You are not required or obligated to speak to attorneys, respond to their phone calls or letters, or complete or sign an affidavit, so . . . DON’T!
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Responding to Subpoenas
Schools have unique obligationsWhat is a subpoena? Legal document Issued by state or federal court,
administrative agency, or other authorized person Requires you to provide testimony or
documents or other items It is NOT a court order
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Types of Subpoenas
Subpoena for Documents Subpoena Duces Tecum Requires production of documents,
materials, or other tangible itemsMay or may not require personal
appearance
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Types of Subpoenas
Deposition Subpoena Questioning witness under oath Required to appear at designated time and
place Subject to special rules Preserves testimony for use in courtMay or may not be required to produce
documents or other tangible items
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Types of Subpoenas
Trial or Court Hearing Subpoena Similar to Deposition SubpoenaRequired to appear at a trial or
hearing in person as a witness
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Types of Subpoenas
Grand Jury SubpoenaUsed to gather evidence needed to
determine whether a crime has been committedMay require testimony and/or
production of documents or other things May prohibit discussion outside of
grand jury or subject to contempt
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Who Issues Subpoenas?
Clerk of a Court Administrative Agencies Attorneys NotariesCustody disputes, divorce, personal
injury lawsuits, juvenile proceedings, criminal proceedings, NDE/PPC
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Responding to Subpoenas
Never ignore a subpoena! Failure to Respond Sanctions Penalties or fines Contempt of court Jail
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Responding to Subpoenas
Contact school’s attorney Response depends on: Is it valid?Who issued subpoenaType of subpoena Information or items requestedPersonnel recordsStudent recordsMental health/medical records
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Responding to Subpoenas
Timing State CourtTrial: Must be served personally or by
registered or certified mail at least 6 days before trialDeposition: “Reasonable” noticeOther: 10 days before compliance date
Federal“Reasonable time for compliance” for
deposition, hearing, or trial
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Responding to Subpoenas
Objection (Motion to Compel) Protective Order Demand advance payment for costs
of copyingMotion to Quash
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Travel for Subpoenas State CourtTrial - You cannot be required to
attend a trial:Out of the state where you are served orAt a distance of more than one hundred
miles from the place of residence or from place where you are served with subpoena, unless within the same county“Good cause” exception – requires
deposit of fees and expenses
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Travel for Subpoenas
State CourtDepositionParty:Non-party:Cannot be required to attend deposition
outside county of residence or outside the county where the subpoena is served.
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Travel for Subpoenas
Federal - Required to travel if served:Anywhere in court’s jurisdictionWithin 100 miles of location of eventAnywhere within the StateNote: Court MAY quash subpoena if
it requires “substantial expense” or travel over 100 miles to attend trial.
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Fees and Expenses Witness may demand traveling fees and
fee for one day's attendance when subpoena is served. If fees are not paid, witness is not required to obey subpoena. Request can be renewed each day. Exceptions State Government Agency Subpoenas Criminal cases.
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Fees and Expenses State Government Agency Subpoenas Witness not entitled to demand fees and is
required to obey subpoena IF, at time of service, witness is furnished statement prepared by agency advising of the rate of travel fees allowable, fee for each day's attendance pursuant to subpoena, and that witness will be paid at such rates following attendance.
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Avoiding ServiceThey’ll huff and they’ll puff and they’ll blow your house down!!! If witness conceals himself, or in any other
manner attempts to avoid being personally served with subpoena any sheriff or constable, having subpoena, may use all necessary and proper means to serve it, and for that purpose may break into any building or other place where witness is to be found, with proper notice.
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Subpoenas and Personnel Records
Teachers, administrators and FT employees have access “No other person except school
officials while engaged in their professional duties shall be granted access to such file, and the contents thereof shall not be divulged in any manner to any unauthorized person.” Section 79-8,109
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Subpoenas and Personnel Records
Fischer v. Erickson, Antelope County District Court, Case No. CI04-14 “In reviewing the complaint and
praecipe this Court finds nothing that would entitle the plaintiffs to overcome that privilege in obtaining the personnel files of Mr. Erickson.” Personnel file is privileged Court refused to order disclosure
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Subpoenas and Personnel Records
Burke v. Burke, Gosper County District Court, CI02-1 “The court examined Neb. Rev. Stat. §
79-8,109 and finds such section does not preclude the court from issuing the order sought by [the husband].” Court ordered in-camera review Personnel file, if released to husband,
subject to protective order
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Subpoenas and Student Records
Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Federal funds will not be provided to
schools that have “a policy or practice” of releasing education records (or personally identifiable information) of students except as allowed by FERPA exceptions
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Subpoenas and Student Records
FERPA exception: If the information is furnished in compliance with judicial order or in response to any lawfully issued subpoena IF the parents and students are notified of the order or subpoena in advance of the school’s compliance. Directory info may be release w/ or w/o a
subpoena if parents have not opted out
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Subpoenas and Student Records
Options Come to agreement with requestor to
comply with applicable law (i.e. written consent)Move to quash the subpoena Seek protective order Notify parent or student in advance of
compliance and allow them to take action
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Subpoena Tips
Stay out of it if at all possible! Don’t speak to attorneys voluntarily
before talking to your/school’s attorney Refuse the service of subpoena
during working hours Demand your fees Notify the administration
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Subpoena Tips
Contact school attorney upon receiptTalk to parent’s attorney Seek Motion to QuashAdvise you on what to expectProvide “tips for testifying”
Include discussion about subpoenas in yearly trainings with staffWork with attorney to develop form
letter responses
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Subpoena Tips
Notify employee if receive subpoena for personnel records Follow Court’s Orders Always give notice to parent or
student before complying with subpoena for student records Secretaries and bookkeepers
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Tips for Court/DepositionsMany “tips for testifying” but always remember these 2 “Cardinal Rules:”
(1) Always tell the truth.(2) Answer the question that has
been asked.
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Tips for Court/Depositions Stick to your expertise as an educator,
not as a parent, social worker/ psychologist, general member of the community. Just the facts! Refuse to offer opinions! Strictly observe state and federal student
confidentiality laws.
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A Principal’s Guide to Custody Disputes, Subpoenas, and Other
Court-Related IssuesSteve Williams Harding & Shultz (402) [email protected]
H & S School Law@SteveisEsteban