Civil Liberties

Court Will Decide on Miranda Rights for Students

You have the right to clean that funky smell out of your locker ...

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The Kentucky Supreme Court is deciding a case that tests the limits of self-incrimination in a public school setting.

The case involved a student who copped to giving a fellow student two prescription pain pills after being questioned by his school's principal and assistant principal. Also along for the ride was an armed "school resource officer," who ultimately charged the student, known only as "N.C." with "illegally dispensing a controlled substance." N.C. ended up doing 45 days in jail. His lawyers argue that he was never read his Miranda rights and hence his admission of guilt to the authorities should have been tossed.