what are the teen rights? does the constitution apply to anyone under 18?

Question

i think that this is just a minor case but for example--imagine you pass a note in class telling in depth details of a friends death, your personal health, or something you would never tell anyone but your best friend. is it a violation of the privacy act if the not is read aloud? also, why are teens under 18 not allowed to leave home with out court permission? what if the court does not understand your case? what if you are in danger of emotional abuse and there is no evidence, so the court will not let you go? how are teens supposed to act like adults if we do not have adult rights????
help please. i am lost. recently a teacher at my school told me that I dont have any rights. this confuses me and i am not going to shut up and sit down in my school until i know my rights are protected, informed, and cared about. help me out!

Answer 1

Freedom of Speech is one of the most misunderstood freedoms guaranteed by the constitution. Freedom of Speech means that a publisher cannot be jailed for expressing an opinion in a public forum. It does NOT mean:

1) You can say whatever you want, wherever you want.
2) That a publisher HAS to publish an author's opinion, no matter what.
3) That you do not have to abide by the rules set aside by the publishing entity
4) That the Right applies in a private setting.

Which means you cannot yell "fire" in a theater and claim your 1st amendment rights. You can't go to the Democratic convention, start screaming abortion is a sin, and sue when you're kicked out. You can't sue a web blogger if she deletes a comment you made that she didn't like.

And if you choose to write a note in class, the school has the right to read that note aloud. It would be very hard to argue damages, since you chose to write the note, in express violation of school rules, and pass that note publicly. It is EXACTLY the same thing as your father writing a prohibited email at work and having the nanny programs find it and submit it to his executives. They would fire him in a second and he wouldn't have a leg to stand on.

Yes even under 18 you have rights. You are given exactly the same rights as anyone else unless specifically prohibited in the constitution (the right to vote, the right to become president, etc.) However, your interpretation of those rights is probably inaccurate, as was just about every single answer you got in response to your question.

Answer 2

Yes the constituion applies to kids. However, it is recognized that you are not adults and the same things do not always apply. For example, generally school officials can search your locker without a warrant. Note passing in school would be another--the reading it outloud is probably not a constituional violation--it just shows the teacher was a jerk. As a minor you must be under the control of a parent or other person having custody of you. They have the right to do things to discipline you and control you that another adult would not have over another. A parent may spank a kid--that would be an assault if they did it to another adult.

But you do have rights. For example if you are charged with a crime--all the rights that an adult charged with a crime apply to you. You have the right to free speech. A teacher can not punish you for writing a letter to the editor complaining about them or the school. The police can not come to your house and search your room without a warrant.

You have all these rights--they are just modified in certain places because you are a kid--and parents and schools are allowed to do somethings to maintain and instill discipline and order.

Answer 3

I believe that a teens rights are the same as everyone else's.

FREEDOM.

We all have the free will to , for example pass a note in class, Yet we also have the freedom to choose a smart time to discuss things. Obviously by doing so during class, there is a chance of disrubtion from the teacher. So be smarter and discuss it out of class.

It s not hard to respect others in order to gain respect.

By respecting the teacher by not passing notes, you respect your friend and yourself by not causing an angery disbute between you and the teacher and them.

Choose to be in class or not.

If the discussion is important, then leave the class with your friend. Even though you know what the response will be from the teacher. No one is stopping you from walking out the door.

It all depends on the importance of your messege.

And be open and honest, let the teacher know afterwards why you did so. Then you don t get a large discussion in front of all the class so they all know whats going on.

Be smart , be respectfull, instead of allowing the ego be in controll.

Wether now or later in time, you learn that ego will kill you, and peace and respect will raise you.

Answer 4

You're a US citizen, so the Constitution applies to you. There is no "privacy act", though. The fourth amendment guarantees you the right of privacy of your person and your belongings, and the necessity of a warrant issued only under probable cause. Unfortunately, that only applies to the government, not your teachers. If your school administrators have a policy against note-passing during class, you need to be a little more sneaky about it. Tell that teacher to stuff his fascist attitude where the sun doesn't shine, but do it with a friendly smile on your face. ;P

Answer 5

Only time a minor (person under 18) has rights equal to a adult is by emancipation, but it depends on what state you live in, as each state is different in its laws, and unfortunately, though covered by the constitution, unless you are of voting age, the constitution doesn't really protect you

Answer 6

first of all, act with maturity. It is rude to read your note aloud in front of the class, but I don't think their is any law against it. They will say it is just punishment for your bad behavior (writing and passing notes in class). Your rights are kind of owned by your parents right now. It's and odd thing. If you are having troubles at home, then you need to explain this to anyone who will listen until you can get help. tell your school guidance counselor, or call Social Services yourself.

Answer 7

you are acting exactly like i would expect you to, like an immature teen. do you see why you are being treated they way you are, at school anyway? what gives you the right to disrupt everyone else's education by passing notes? you do have to shut up and sit down in class or they will remove you. the choice is yours. why does it have to be about you? if you are serious about being abused, they you should tell someone at the school or like others have said, call child protective services yourself. but i am in doubt of this charge for you sound to me like exactly what you are: a immature teenager. you dont really have any rights to speak of as a minor. your parents are in charge of you and you had better not cry wolf about abuse unless you are prepared to ruin your life and the lives of your parents/siblings, and you will regret it for the rest of your life. but, if necessary, then do get the proper help.

Answer 8

you are protected by the same constitution as anyone else that is what is left of it, that the A.C.L.U. and the nine boys in black haven 't destroyed, and you are entitled to the terms of the privacy act same as any one else, go to your county library and research the privacy act , then insist that your teacher principle or ? is informed of your findings, make a copy of the issues that best fits your circumstances, then go to any circuit court judge and make your complaint, you will find the chain of command in your library, Age is not an issue

Answer 9

yes, the constitution applies to all US citizens