Can school authorities force you to tell on somone?

Question

Me and my friend got in trouble when i told my other friend that a kid had alchohal on campus and a teacher over heard. I was pulled down to the office and questioned, when i didnt say anything they threatend to kick me out of school. So i told them i knew of the student but i didnt know if he still had it. After awhile things got out of control a officer showed up. Kinda like to put pressure on me. I paniced and told the administrator the students last name. They found him and pulled him down. To make the long story short i drank out of the bottle 3 times. So i was kicked out of the school too. My question is did the school have the right to threaten me with expultion? Also If you guys could please answer a few more questions.

1) How far can they push you in questioning?

2) If you refuse to tell on somone can they punish you?

3) Was there anyway i could of made them stop asking me and still of came out scotch free?

Answer 1

First of all, should you have been drinking at school?  Not!!!! Secondly, yes they have the right to discipline anyone at school under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Good luck to you.

Answer 2

well i guess if they know that you did do the crime or what ever or have witnesses or proof i guess so or they will find out one way. another they can not really punish you but like i said if they know about it i guess they can. question three not  that i know of but if you did not do it and they punish you then they are either hate your guts or out to get you or they do not have proof so they are just going to blame you.

Answer 3

no u r protected by the law...u could/can take them to court if need be, u do not have to speak if something if incriminating. no matter what....but if someone could get hurt or would get hurt u could be (maybe not sure though)...an accessory to crime. But the answer is no...u do not have to speak, according to the constitution.

Answer 4

No, as the law states, you are allowed to "plead the fifth" as the saying goes. That is, the fifth amendment prevents you from incriminating yourself, the same goes for your words.

This was, of course, started in the revolutionary war when soldiers force members f the community to give up their friends. After the constitution was written down, no one under any circumstances can be forced to verbally do something.  

Answer 5

They did not have the right to force you into "telling on" him.

Answer 6

There's probably something in your honor code about telling when someone has those substances on campus. It's not like they can beat with a baseball bat until you say something.  

Answer 7

1) They can try but they cant force you to talk.

2) It would be wrong of them to punish you after all you do have the right not to tell them if you believe it will incriminate you in which case you did this is called the fifth amendment they cant make you say something if you believe it will incriminate you you should have told them that.

3) Sure just tell them I'm not telling you anything more "all I know is he had alcohol on campus, thanks to the fifth amendment I dont have to answer anymore questions because they will incriminate me."

You might not be able to sew them but this is a good way to get away with it the next time.

Answer 8

Verbally, they can pressure as much as is necessary to determine whether or not a crime has been committed.  Here's the sticky part.  Legally, no law enforcement officer can question you without your parent or guardian's concent or presence.

You cannot be compelled to rat.  You can, however, be convicned to.