Threats of violence should always be taken seriously, though one Wisconsin parent is certain his 12-year-old’s comment at school wasn’t one of them. The parent, who goes by WeekExpress9800 on Reddit, claimed they had just gotten full custody of their son when a very untimely incident occurred at school. During some downtime in the library, the boy made a rather inappropriate joke about a bomb threat to his teacher, resulting in a series of severe consequences.
According to WeekExpress9800’s post on r/legaladvice, the 12-year-old, in response to his teacher saying he could do whatever he wanted after reading hour, said, “Like what, make explosives?” Without hesitation, the school pulled him out of class, searched his belongings, and interrogated him without WeekExpress9800 being present.
That wasn’t all; the young student was also charged with disorderly conduct, in addition to being suspended for four days. “The principal, superintendent, and cop all said they knew it was a joke and not a threat,” WeekExpress9800 claimed in earnest, saying that they were informed only after all the penalties were carried out.
The alleged unjust school board is one problem the Wisconsin parent has to deal with, but now the 12-year-old needs to appear in court, all because of his joke. “He’s terrified. I’m scared and angry,” WeekExpress9800 wrote, adding how they can’t afford a lawyer to protect them. Now at their wits’ end, OP is looking to Reddit for suggestions.
Reddit Condemned the Wisconsin School for Allegedly Violating the 12-Year-Old’s First Amendment
Many Redditors took the parent’s side with support and recommendations on how they can proceed to help their son, the first being to use the First Amendment as a defense. After all, WeekExpress9800 alleges that everyone knew their son was joking, yet they still took extreme action against him.
“I can tell you, as someone who has represented a *lot* of court involved youth, your kid isn’t the first one to do something like this,” reassured a commenter. “’Scaring him straight’ by filing charges the law doesn’t support is not a proper use of the justice system. It’s misconduct,” wrote another.
Others chimed in, adding that it was ridiculous for the Wisconsin school to take legal action against the 12-year-old despite allegedly recognizing the jest.
Fortunately, WeekExpress9800’s court hearing with their son went well, and they posted an update on what happened. The son was given a strong warning, but didn’t have anything put on his record. “This could have really been bad. I think he understands,” OP expressed. Now, the two are back home with all of the legal madness behind them.
Still, as one commenter points out, the parent might want to reconsider the school their son attends after everything that’s transpired: ‘I would be wary about sending him back to that school since they escalated this situation unnecessarily.’
