Georgia-based attorney Stephanie R. Lindsey is making waves on social media after answering a question many parents are asking: Can my child be suspended for trying to break up a school fight?
Her answer: “Yes.”
In a recently posted video to her Instagram page, Lindsey—who regularly shares legal insights on issues affecting students and families—explained that school policies today are stricter than many parents realize.
Despite good intentions, students who step into fights to break them up, or even those who record the incident, can face suspension or more serious consequences.
“Believe it or not, this happens all the time. And the answer is yes,” Lindsey said. “We’ve had a few of these and we have been advocating for the child, but it never fails—there’s always going to be a video.”
According to Lindsey, the context of a student’s involvement often comes down to video footage, and depending on the angle or quality, school administrators might interpret the student’s actions as participating in the fight rather than breaking it up.
Adding to the confusion, Lindsey noted that students who film fights—even if they don’t get involved—can also be punished under newer school rules.
“If your child is videoing a fight, they can be suspended as well,” she warned.
‘Walk Away’ to Avoid Legal Trouble
Lindsey explained that the safest action for students witnessing a fight is to walk away—no matter how tempting it is to get involved or record it.
“Tell these kids to get away from the fight when the fight happens. I know it’s hard. I know it’s not cool, but they need to do that,” she said.
For teens 17 and older, Lindsey offered an even more serious warning: in certain jurisdictions, they can be charged as adults for their role in a school disturbance. In some states, she added, school disturbance charges may be considered felonies.
“Tell them to walk away. It ain’t worth it,” she said plainly. “Walk away.”
A Growing Issue in Student Discipline
Lindsey’s advice underscores growing concerns over zero-tolerance policies and the way student conduct is interpreted under current school discipline frameworks.
With the rise of smartphones and social media, students are often punished not just for fighting, but for recording and sharing content related to altercations.
Parents are encouraged to talk to their children about these risks—and seek legal counsel if disciplinary action is taken.
For more information or to follow legal updates for families and students, follow Attorney Stephanie R. Lindsey (@attorneystephanie) on Instagram.
