Can My Principal Keep My Hat?

The principal has the authority to confiscate it, but not to keep it permanently. Your parents have the authority to get it back, as it is *legally* their property- not yours.

Until you are 18 or whatever the local age of majority is where you live, your parents legally own everything you think you own, even if you worked to earn the money to buy it. Anything that was received until you are no longer a minor - with a few exceptions of things put in trust for you to receive later - are theirs. Including the hat.

They can't keep your property. They're likely trying to teach you a lesson. Have a parent or guardian write a note or ask for it back.

Buy another hat. Don't wear it to school.

Well, ask your schoolmates if anything like this has happened to them and what they did. Go say sorry and promise you will not do it again and make a story of how important it is ;)

You intentionally broke the rule. Your focus should be on why you would do such a thing. Kiss the had goodbye. This is what consequences look like.

If you are under 18 it is considered to belong to your parents, so get one of them to go and get it,they cannot keep it, that is theft,and in future, obey the rules!

Have you parents contact the office. If you don't get it back it's your own fault. You knew the rules.

Might very well be legal, yes. You should learn a lesson....