If you have too many unexcused absences from school you are considered a truant.
By law, children must attend school. If they fail to show up and the school notifies authorities, which they will be because the school keeps attendance records, they are considered truants. You must attend school a certain number of days each year per state law. If you have too many unexcused absences you and your parents may have to go to juvenile court to explain yourself. Keep in mind that your parents or parent may very well go to jail if you are truant even though they may not be at fault or even aware of your truancy.
The Outcome
Legislators in various states are crafting bills that support the creation of courts specific for truancy cases, particularly in areas where the truancy rate is exorbitant, according to a May 2011 article in the "Houston Chronicle."
In West Virginia, State Senator Erik Wells proposed a truancy law that parents will lose their driver's license if their children are truant.
Following a court hearing and you are found truant, your parents are accountable and can face fines and even jail time. Additionally, you, as the truant, may have to go to a detention center for juveniles and also pay fines.
Habitual
A habitual truant refers to a student who misses public school four days in a month's time or 10 days in a school year with no excuse. Most schools have their own specific rules regarding truancy and the consequences. When you skip school you will eventually have to see your attendance officer, principle or whomever is in charge of this matter at your school. The attendance officer can give you an issue for truancy requiring you to appear in court. In some cases, you may be arrested on the spot and taken before a judge.
What Happens Then?
You will receive notification via mail that you are to go to court for a hearing. If you are under the age of 16, the judge may only warn you, or you may have to go under the supervision of a probation officer. Typically, the judge will order counseling if the situation calls for it and require you to attend school. Depending on your situation, the children's services department in your area may get involved in your case. Failing to follow the courts order can revert any judgments and require jail time. If you are 16 or 17 years old, the judge can take away your operator's license, order you to do community service or get a job. The school is also able to expel the truant.
The Effects of Truancy
Chronic absenteeism leads to delinquency. When a child is habitually truant this is usually an indicator of underlying issues, which can result in educational failure, social isolation and delinquent activity. When a child does not regularly attend school, she is at risk for teen pregnancy, dropping out of school and substance abuse, according to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service.
Tags: attend school, your parents, attendance officer, court hearing, have many, have many unexcused