TIPS: If you are charged with a Class C misdemeanor in school

Try to be calm in your interactions with police officers, administrators and teachers. This may be difficult, but if you stay calm you will be able to better remember what happened. As soon as you can, write down or record what happened with as much detail as possible and tell a friend, parent, or someone else who you trust.
Tell your parents or another trusted adult about the complaint. They may be able to help you through the complicated court proceedings.
Show up to court on the required date and time with any documents that help to show why you should not be convicted. You can ask for school records, other court records, and have witness statement prepared. It is also helpful to write down a detailed story about what happened so that you do not get confused.
You have the right to hire a lawyer to represent you in court, or you may be able to find someone to represent you for free, such as the local legal aid office. The court will not give you a lawyer.
You have a right to plead “not guilty” to any criminal charge. If you did not commit the offense or know of other reasons why you should not be convicted, pleading “not guilty” is the only way to explain to the judge that you are innocent or should not be convicted.
You may be offered "deferred prosecution," which means that you would make an agreement with a prosecutor to do certain things like take classes or do community service. If you complete the agreement, a conviction will not be put on your record.
If you are found guilty, the judge may order you to pay a fine up to $500 or court costs. If your family cannot afford the fines, let the judge know—the judge may offer you community service instead of a fine.
If you have a disability, you may want extra support in court. You can contact Disability Rights Texas before your court date for more information at 1-800-252-9108 or https://www.disabilityrightstx.org/.