Seminar sponsored by the Columbus Bar Association’s Juvenile Law Practice Group
After attending this program, participants will be able to:
- Recognize key juvenile court terminology and parallels to the adult system.
- Explain interactions and tensions between school discipline and criminal defense.
- Identify strategies when defense counsel is or is not involved.
- Protect students from self-incrimination in both settings.
- Determine when student testimony is appropriate.
- Apply advocacy tools and strategic decision-making to real cases.
- Be better prepared to help clients protect educational futures by aligning expulsion strategy with criminal defense needs and minimizing self-incrimination risk.
I. Overview of Dual Systems
- School Discipline vs. Criminal Process
- Why It Matters
II. School-to-Police Pipeline & Disproportionate Impact
- Zero-tolerance policies & direct law enforcement referrals
- Information sharing between schools and police
- Who is most impacted
III. Tensions Between Systems
- Timing mismatch between expulsion and criminal proceedings
- Self-incrimination risk and discovery imbalance
- Different standards and elements in code of conduct vs. criminal statutes
- Double sanctions — no double jeopardy protection
IV. Role of Counsel & Student Testimony Strategy
- When defense counsel is available
- When no defense counsel is available
- Factors to weigh when deciding whether the student should testify
V. Strategic Advocacy Tools
- Contest vs. mitigate decision-making
- Using disability protections (IEP / 504 / MDR)
- Negotiation & alternative discipline options
- Preserving appeal rights
- Practical steps: intake, preparation, hearing, post-hearing planning
VI. Key Facts to Assess & Practical Checklist
- Timeline conflicts, evidence, disability status, criminal exposure
- Collateral consequences: credits, athletics, graduation
VII. Hypothetical Scenarios
- Fight with video evidence – contest vs mitigate, athletics impact
- Pocketknife / zero tolerance – disability protections & alternatives
- Vaping incident – delay hearing vs pending lab results
- Chair thrown by student with ED – manifestation determination & IDEA violations
- Repeat offender nearing graduation – testimony concerns and consequences
Speakers:
Anders Miller, Esq.
Anders Miller is an associate attorney at Sabo Law LLC who specializes in special education and student advocacy in Columbus, Ohio.
After earning his undergraduate degree in Secondary English Education at The Ohio State University, Anders taught 10th and 11th grade English at Franklin Heights High School from 2015–2018. His classroom experience deeply informed his decision to go to law school so that he could better advocate for students and public education as an attorney. He attended the Moritz College of Law at OSU, where he focused on the intersection of education and policy. He worked at both the Ohio Statehouse and the U.S. House of Representatives, and served as the Law Student Member on the American Bar
Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar—the accrediting body for U.S. law schools.
After passing the bar, Anders joined Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio as a Staff Attorney, where he worked on matters including IEPs, school discipline, Title IX, reentry services, and domestic law. He also serves as the Secretary of the Board of Directors for Disability Rights Ohio and leads the Education and Foster Youth Collaborative of Central Ohio—reflecting his commitment to cross-system collaboration and student-centered advocacy. Outside of work, Anders enjoys (attempting) golf, cooking, podcasts, and lifelong learning.
Jessica Dawso, Esq.
No one can question that Jessica cares—about her clients, her cases and the children served by Ohio’s public school districts. Jessica shares her clients’ commitment to serving
all students and it is demonstrated daily in her practice. A skilled advocate, Jessica represents school districts in special education disputes, civil rights claims, student discipline matters, and employment matters. Jessica’s approachable manner, negotiation skills, and depth of knowledge on student issues makes her valued counsel for school districts.
Prior to joining Scott Scriven LLP, Jessica served as Legal Counsel and Associate Director in the Office for Exceptional Children at the Ohio Department of Education. She practiced
family, juvenile, and immigration law at the beginning of her career. Her prior experience provides a deep understanding of the regulatory and legal circumstances confronted by
boards of education. Jessica grew up along the Ohio river in Steubenville, Ohio. She loves to travel, meet new people and spend time with her family and friends. Jessica’s most recent travel has taken her to various baseball fields, hockey rinks and dance studios throughout Ohio. Jessica lives with her husband and their two children in Westerville where they are active members of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church.
1.0 CLE Hours