The petition
Under their controversial zero tolerance policies, intent is not a consideration in determining guilt or innocence nor when doling out punishment in schools throughout the country. This can result in children who otherwise have no disciplinary record or behavioral problems being suspended or expelled from school and possibly placed in alternative programs. To make matters worse for these children and their families is the very real possibility of criminal charges, including felony charges, being filed against the child.
Without the consideration of intent, or circumstance and character, no distinction is made between the 2nd grader who draws a laser gun and the high school senior who carries a real gun with the intent to use it!
We the undersigned call for zero tolerance policies to be eradicated from our public schools and be replaced with policies that dictate each offense be viewed on a case by case basis, that the outcome not be predetermined and a little common sense be applied. We insist that children not be turned over to the criminal justice system without first receiving a full review of the circumstances and consideration of intent, character, and background. Further, we demand that the ties to Federal funding via the Gun Free Schools Act in implementing these policies be cut immediately and that each state be given back their constitutional right to govern their own educational systems.
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