Legal Question in Constitutional Law in Ohio

Freedom Of Speech In Middle School- About A Poem

I wrote a moderately hateful poem

about a teacher I dont like. At first, it

was just a way for me to vent my

feelings towards her. Then I read it

to my cooking class after my friends

and my teacher wanted to hear it.

The next day, the teacher who dont

like came up to me in class and told

me she had heard i wrote a poem

about her, and that if i wasnt going

to share it with her then I had no

right to share it with my classmates.

She said we would talk about it later.

What I want to know is if she can

force me to show her the poem if I

dont want too and if I am immune

from getting into trouble from

writing it. If necessary, I can provide

a copy of the poem via email.


Asked on 2/13/08, 12:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Anthony Colleluori The Law Offices of Anthony J. Colleluori & Associates PLLC

Re: Freedom Of Speech In Middle School- About A Poem

YOu have a right against self incrimination. I strongly urge you to speak to your parents about this and let them get you a lawyer to speak to. This type of thing could get you into a lot of trouble short term.

The sin here was not in writing the poem, it was in sharing it with others. Certain thoughts need to stay private or be shared with family members only.

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Answered on 2/18/08, 12:48 am


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