Know Your Rights

Knowledge of youth rights is an important tool for protecting yourself against abuses by police, school officials, and other adults. Youth have a lot of rights under state and federal laws.

You Have the Right To…Not Remain Silent is an ACLU-NC publication updated annually. It is available in both print and online formats.

Get answers to some of the most important questions you have about your rights!

• What rights do you have when school officials want to search you?
• Is the principal or newspaper advisor allowed to censor what you write?
• What about the school censoring your off-campus website?
• Can the school say you’re not allowed to start a gay-straight alliance club?
• Do minors need parental consent to get birth control pills?
• Ever wondered if you have to say the Pledge of Allegiance?
• Is your teacher allowed to say you can’t wear a certain shirt because it’s “controversial”?

Knowing your rights makes you more powerful. Be a watchdog for your own rights and those of other students.

The law can be confusing. The ACLU can help.

If you think your school is not complying with the law or you need advice about your rights, first read all you can on this site and in this guide, and then call the ACLU of Northern California’s legal counselors at 415-621-2488.

Learn More:

• Know Your Rights to Protest and Walk Out (English)
• Know Your Rights to Protest and Walk Out (Spanish)
• Pledge, Patriotism & Prayer in California Public Schools
• School Discipline: A Guide for Students & Parents
• Your Health, Your Rights
• Additional Resources