The assistant principal said that the judge is more lenient if you plead guilty. However, I would not even want to get that far... I would much rather have a deal in place where he does some community service, we pay the court costs and be done with it...
One. I'm not an attorney, though I'm a professional in the legal field. What I'm passing on to you seems to be the common thought among attorneys here:
If you plead guilty, you are admitting to the facts of the case, and also admitting to criminal responsibility. The judge will pass sentence immediately and generally accept the guilty plea. If you are sued for damages, that guilty plea can be held against you in a civil court as an admission of civil responsibility. If you plead 'not guilty' another court day will be scheduled where the judge will hear all evidence and testimony, and the judge will make a finding of guilty or not guilty. A third option is a 'no contest' plea (may have a different name in your jurisdiction). A 'no contest' plea is an admission that the facts are correct, but you don't think the facts constitute a crime. The judge will make an immediate decision, but you will be given the opportunity to make your case as to why you think there was no crime. Since there's a video which shows the 'facts', it's difficult to argue against a recording. But, even if the judge makes a guilty finding on a 'no contest' plea, you have not made a confession of guilt, and should there be a civil lawsuit for damages, the complainant will have to prove their case against you.
THIS IS NOT LEGAL ADVICE. No one here can advise you what to do, and they would be foolish to do so. That is an attorney's function, and it is up to you whether or not to seek an attorney's advice. This is merely information for you to research in your jurisdiction.
There is, IMO, some paranoid commentary being made about what you should or shouldn't do. Speak to whom you wish - your words cannot be used against your son because you are neither the defender, nor are you a witness to the offense. Anything you relate is hearsay and not admissible in court. Best to have all the information you can acquire to help you make a decision. Don't let your son make statements, though.
Good luck.
edit: You should also investigate the wording of the charge against your son. Please note he was not given a 'ticket', he was technically arrested and released on a court summons.
here is Ohio's disorderly law:
"
(A) No person shall recklessly cause inconvenience, annoyance, or alarm to another by doing any of the following:
(1) Engaging in fighting, in threatening harm to persons or property, or in violent or turbulent behavior;
(2) Making unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance, gesture, or display or communicating unwarranted and grossly abusive language to any person;
(3) Insulting, taunting, or challenging another, under circumstances in which that conduct is likely to provoke a violent response;
(4) Hindering or preventing the movement of persons on a public street, road, highway, or right-of-way, or to, from, within, or upon public or private property, so as to interfere with the rights of others, and by any act that serves no lawful and reasonable purpose of the offender;
(5) Creating a condition that is physically offensive to persons or that presents a risk of physical harm to persons or property, by any act that serves no lawful and reasonable purpose of the offender."
If someone does any one of the five elements listed, they are guilty of DC
And at some point in time he will have to make a plea of some sort, before this can be finalized.