June 20, 2009
Judge Tom
2

Parents prosecuted for kids’ truancy

A two-year effort to fight truancy in San Francisco schools has resulted in a 23% drop of elementary school students skipping school. In the same period middle schools saw a 4% drop, but high schools numbers increased slightly.

School attendance in California, as in many states, is mandatory from ages 6 to 18. The school district and local prosecutor worked together in identifying students with more than 10 unexcused absences. Efforts included meeting with the parents and, where appropriate, offering community and mental health services, and assignment of social workers.

Photo by Vsqz (Flickr)

Parents were also explained the legal consequences of truancy, such as court action and fines. In at least seven cases, parents were taken to court. Their children had missed at least 40 days of the 180-day school year. Penalties against parents range from fines to community service work, oftentimes at their child’s school.

Hauling parents into court is not just a California trend – it’s catching on around the country. So, don’t skip school or your parents may pay the price.

For more about mandatory school attendance, see:  http://askthejudge.info/do-i-have-to-go-to-school/38/

Judge Tom

The Author Judge Tom

Judge Tom is the founder and moderator of AsktheJudge.info. He is a retired juvenile judge and spent 23 years on the bench. He has written several books for lawyers and judges as well as teens and parents including 'Teen Cyberbullying Investigated' (Free Spirit Publishing) and 'Every Vote Matters: the Power of Your Voice, from Student Elections to the Supreme Court' (Free Spirit Publishing). In 2020, the American Bar Association published "Cyberbullying Law," the nation's first case-law book written for lawyers, judges and law students. When he's not answering teens' questions, Judge Tom volunteers with the American Red Cross and can be found hiking, traveling and reading.

Find great resources in our

Teen Help Network

Leave A Comment

2 Comments

  • tasha hackney
    February 27, 2012 6:23 pm count( 0 )

    WHAT WILL THEY DO TO YOU WHEN GO TO COURT OEVER MISS SCHOOL AFTER U WAS ON PROBTION 3 MONTHS I GO TO COURT ON FEB 28 2012 I MISSED LIKE 10 DAYS SENCE I WAS ON PROBTION I AM FREAK OUT AND PLUS I HAD EXCUSE FOR THE DAYS I MISSED
    Dear Tasha: Bring the excuse for the days missed with you to court. They may not be held against you depending on the circumstances. Otherwise, you may get some additional probation time or intensive probation. Don’t miss court or the judge may issue a warrant for your arrest. Good luck.
    (This is information only – not legal advice).

  • David M. Russell
    June 30, 2009 9:53 pm count( 1 )

    A leading Australian politician has called for Aboriginal parents to be fined if they don’t force their children to attend school. I concur. If indigenous people want to retain their entitlements to the state-subsidised welfare system, they should have to integrate with that system. It’s an issue of mutual responsibility. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
    Aussie Larrikin.