Abusing Discretion: The Battle for Childhood in Schools

Authors

Hannah Dodson, University of Michigan Law School

Abstract

For too many children the schoolhouse doors become a point of entry into the criminal justice system. Children of color are the most likely to suffer from this phenomenon. The presence of policing in schools is a key contributor to this “school-to-prison pipeline.” This Note argues that broad, discretionary mandates for school resource officers (SROs) promote biased law enforcement that impacts Black girls in different and specific ways. I contend that SRO mandates can be effectively limited by strategically bolstering community organizing efforts with impact litigation.

Recommended Citation

Hannah Dodson, Abusing Discretion: The Battle for Childhood in Schools, 27 Mich. J. Race & L. 417 (2022).
Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mjrl/vol27/iss2/5