For many families in Lexington County, the beginning of August marks the start of the new school year. The 2025–26 term starts on August 4, and most students are already thinking about classes, friends and extracurricular activities. Unfortunately, some parents will quickly be dealing with a much more stressful issue: a recommendation that their child be expelled from school. The first few months of a new school year always see an increase in the number of students recommended for expulsion, and we're anticipating that this school year will be no different.
If this is your situation, time is of the essence. South Carolina law requires a school to schedule an expulsion hearing within a short timeframe, and the outcome can affect your child’s education and future opportunities. Understanding the process and your child’s rights is critical.
An expulsion is not just another suspension. It removes a student from school for the remainder of the school year, potentially for the remainder of the school year. Although each school district has its own policies, state law provides important protections. When a school administrator recommends expulsion, the district must notify parents in writing and schedule a hearing. This hearing is your child’s opportunity to challenge the allegations and to present evidence. You have the right to have a school expulsion attorney represent your family, to review school records and to question the district’s witnesses. After the hearing, a written decision is issued. It's important to give your child the best chance at this hearing, as often there is no right to appeal school discipline matters into court.
Expulsion hearings aren't typical legal proceedings however. There is no right to actually confront your child's accuser. Hearsay is considered valid evidence. Schools can even seek expulsion for conduct alleged to have occurred outside of school, and outside of school hours. There are however specific strategies that can be employed to help maximize the likelihood of a successful outcome.
The short timeline means you must act quickly. Expulsion hearings typically occur within fifteen days of the recommendation, and preparation takes time. A Lexington SC school expulsion lawyer can help you understand the specific charges, gather evidence, identify and prepare witnesses and ensure the school follows its own procedures.
Common Reasons for Expulsion in Lexington, SC:
- Discussing weapons, explosives, or threats against other students. This can be either by verbal statement, written, or from content alleged to have been posted on social media.
- Bringing prohibited items to school. Even if your child accidently, or unknowingly brings a prohibited item to school they can be recommended for expulsion. This includes items such as alcohol, pocket knives, cigarettes, or anything else prohibited by school policy.
- Vapes. One of the most common reasons for expulsion now in Lexington is possession or use of a vape device. This will result in an automatic expulsion recommendation.
- Sharing "gummies", over the counter medication or prescription medication. When a student gives any substance that may be a drug, even something as simple as an over the counter medication, it will result in an expulsion recommendation.
- Fighting. Any involvement in a physical altercation can result in an expulsion recommendation. Even if your child was the victim, or attacked first will not prevent the school from recommending the school district expel them.
- Sexual harassment. Students can be recommended for expulsion for making statements or social media posts deemed sexual harassment, or improperly touching another student. This can be against other students or faculty members.
- Improper social media posts. Expulsion recommendations can also be made for any social media posts deemed disruptive to the school environment. Whether it's bullying, threatening, false reporting of school closures or the like. Anything your child is accused of posting on social media or sending by text message can be used by the school as a reason to recommend expulsions.
Even if your child is responsible or "guilty", there can be alternatives to expulsion to keep them in school. Area hearing officers have broad discretion when deciding what the outcome of any expulsion hearing should be.
The Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC has been representing area students and families for over 20 years in expulsion matters. We regularly appear before hearing officers in Lexington County, Richland County and surrounding districts. Our experience means we know the procedures used by local schools and how to present a compelling case. We understand that many students facing expulsion are good kids who made a mistake or are being treated unfairly. Our goal is to protect your child’s education and future.
If your child has been recommended for expulsion, don’t wait. You only have a limited time to prepare yourself and your child for the hearing, and the stakes are high. Our firm offers free consultations, and same-day appointments are usually available. To schedule a consultation, call us at (803) 359‑3301. Let a seasoned Lexington school expulsion attorney help you navigate this challenging process and work to secure the best possible outcome for your child.