States have different definitions of what it means to be
truant. Typically, a student is not considered truant until he or she misses a
specified number of school days without a valid excuse. For example, a state
may define truancy as missing three full days of school in a single month, or
10 full days of school in a single year. States may also consider a child
truant if the child is late without an excuse. For example, a child who is more
than 30 minutes late for any class three or more times in a single month may be
deemed truant.
Examples of excused absences include:
- Sickness
- Medical or Mental Health Appointments
- Religious Holidays
- Extreme Family Emergency
Examples of unexcused absences include:
- Missing the bus
- Oversleeping
- Cold weather
- Babysitting
- Need to sleep for work
Penalties
Juvenile courts have much greater discretion when handling
cases and can impose a wide range of punishments on both teens and the teen's
parent or legal guardian. The kinds of penalties given differ widely between
cases and states. The court will issue the penalties it deems appropriate, and
a teen who violates the court's orders may face additional penalties
- Additional school. A juvenile court can order a truant student to attend after-school, weekend, or summer sessions to make up for the school the child missed. The court may also order the student to enroll in an alternate education course, a skill center or trade school, public education courses, dropout prevention courses, or other related programs.
- Drug testing. A court may order the teen to submit to drug and alcohol testing, especially if drug and alcohol abuse is present in the home or if substance abuse problems are present in the case. The court may also order the teen to attend drug and alcohol education or rehabilitation courses.
- Counseling. A court may also order a teen into psychological testing and counseling. The teen may have to attend individual counseling, group counseling, or attend family counseling with parents or guardians.
- Probation. Probation is also possible in truancy cases. A court can order the truant teen to regularly report to a probation officer for a period of 6 months or more, or until the teen reaches the age of 18. Probation can also require random drug tests, wearing a tracking bracelet, being confined to home when not at school or work, or other conditions.
- Detention. In some situations a juvenile court may confine the teen to a juvenile detention center, work camp, group home, or similar facility. Detention penalties are not common in truancy cases, though they are possible. The court may order detention on the weekends, for a specific length of time, or a combination of detention measures.
- Parent or guardian penalties. A juvenile court may impose several penalties against the parent or guardian of a truant teen. Common penalties include fines, attending parenting education courses, or attending family counseling. A juvenile court can also transfer a juvenile case to an adult court if the court finds the parents have violated the law, such as when neglect or abuse is present.
Written and
edited by: Ronald Cedeño
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