Stand with a Teacher: Fight False Charges

The American legal system is designed in such a way that defendants are innocent until proven guilty.

However, a trial is necessary to facilitate this, and the cost of the necessary representation is an overwhelming burden.

On October 4th, I had a student I was concerned about. His behavior had become increasingly erratic, and he had consistently demonstrated an inability to focus. Not only was this affecting his grades, but it is dangerous in the shop, to himself and potentially others.

When I noticed this that day, first thing in the morning, I attempted to communicate to the student my concern. After struggling to gain his full attention, I tapped the sides of his hat as I asked him again what was going on with him that morning. Due to the nature of our previous relationship, I had no indication this could have been conceived as anything other than what it was: a gentle redirection of focus.

The student was embarrassed and retaliated by first filing an official complaint with the school, and then by calling the police.

The police officer who responded told me the student initially tried saying I had struck him multiple times and boxed his ears, to the point he had to fight to get away from me.

The school did an official investigation, I was removed from the class, and kept separate from the student. However, after reviewing the security footage, it was determined the event was not as the student described. The school investigation has closed and I am back to teaching.

The police told me that the student was insistent on pressing charges and that as such it would go to the prosecuting attorney to decide how to handle it.

My options now are to plead guilty to a littering charge and pay a fine, or go to trial and show evidence of my innocence.

I do not have the funds to pay the fine nor should I have to plead guilty to a charge I did not commit. However, I also cannot afford the $7k for representation, plus court costs. I am looking for assistance to safeguard my innocence.