There are certain professions in which the professionals seem to be held to a higher standard than others. Teaching is one such occupation, and often,if a teacher is arrested for any reason, it makes media headlines.
A first offense of marijuana possession for personal use, for example, is a misdemeanor. It is a relatively common offense, and it is certainly not anarrest that would typically interest the media or the general public. When a teacher gets busted for marijuana possession, though, it's a top newsstory in Oklahoma.
Such is the case of Kimberly Struble, 42, of Yukon. She is an English teacher at Mustang High School, and her mug shot is published in the local newspaperafter she was arrested on a misdemeanor complaint of possession of marijuana.
A Mustang Public Schools spokesperson says that the teacher, who is from California and in her first year with the district, has been suspended.
Now, if a teacher is convicted of a felony, he or she will have the teaching license revoked. You cannot be hired as a teacher in Oklahoma with a felonyconviction. A misdemeanor conviction, however, is another story. While a misdemeanor conviction may make it difficult to find a teaching job, it doesnot prohibit it.
Should a teacher's face, occupation, and alleged offense be brandished in the news simply because he or she is a teacher? Does it depend upon the offense?Certainly if a teacher was in possession of marijuana on school property, coming to school under the influence of marijuana, or distributing marijuanato students, it would be a serious concern, and it seems reasonable that the media would report on the incident. But simple possession of marijuana?
Let us look for a moment at the allegations against the woman.
Kimberly Struble and Adam Aragon, 30, were arrested after a two-month long investigation into reports that drugs were being sold from a home in Yukon. Aragon was arrested in September on charges of possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute, possession of acontrolled dangerous substance and possession of paraphernalia after police allegedly found three sets of scales, methamphetamine, marijuana, and prescriptionamphetamines in the home.
On October 20, Struble was arrested on a complaint of marijuana possession--a misdemeanor. If that is all prosecutors could come up with against the teacherduring a two-month investigation, it seems as if her role in Aragon's alleged dealings was minimal at most. Her arrest, therefore, should not evenbe newsworthy.
Still, public perception is important, and because of this arrest, the woman will likely face personal and professional consequences, regardless of whetheror not she is ultimately convicted of any crime.
For any allegation of a crime--even a misdemeanor--it is critical to secure legal defense representation. Call the Law Firm of Oklahoma at (405) 608-4990.
