2012 San Antonio Truancy Round up begins November 12
November 12, 2012 marks the start of the 2012 San Antonio Truancy Roundup. On this date, parents and students in San Antonio and Judson independent school districts who have failed to appear at the Bexar County Justice of the Peace Courts to resolve their truancy cases will face arrest.
The San Antonio Truancy Roundup is similar to the Great Texas Warrant Round up we described in our past blog. The concept is straight forward. If you failed to appear before the judge on your court date, the court will issue an arrest warrant. Then the court will work with school officials, district police and constables to arrest you and bring you to the judge.
In the State of Texas, the offense of truancy, now referred to as “nonattendance”, is a Class C Misdemeanor and carries a fine up to $500.00 per offense. A student commits an offense if he or she fails to attend school on 10 or more days or parts of days within a six month period in the same school year or on three or more days or parts of days within a four-week period.
Texas Truancy Law
If the court finds that the student has committed the offense the court may require that the student:
(1) Attend school without unexcused absences;
(2) Attend a preparatory class for the high school equivalency examination (GED), if the court determines that the individual is too old to do well in a formal classroom environment; or
(3) If the individual is at least 16 years of age, take the high school equivalency examination (GED)
(4) The court may require the individual to attend a special program that the court determines to be in the best interest of the individual, including;
- An alcohol and drug abuse program;
- A rehabilitation program;
- A counseling program, including self-improvement counseling;
- A program that provides training in self-esteem and leadership;
- A work and job skills training program;
- A program that provides training in parenting, including parental responsibility;
- A program that provides training in manners;
- A program that provides training in violence avoidance;
- A program that provides sensitivity training; and
- A program that provides training in advocacy and mentoring;
(5) The individual and the individuals parent attend a class for students at risk of dropping out of school designed for both the individual and the individuals parent;
(6) The individual complete reasonable community service requirements; or
(7) For the total number of hours ordered by the court, the individual participate in a tutorial program covering the academic subjects in which the student is enrolled provided by the school the individual attends.
(8) A court having jurisdiction under this article shall endorse on the summons issued to the parent of the individual who is the subject of the hearing an order directing the parent to appear personally at the hearing and directing the person having custody of the individual to bring the individual to the hearing.
(9) An individual commits an offense if the individual is a parent who fails to attend a hearing under this article after receiving notice that the individual’s attendance is required.
(10) The court may order the Department of Public Safety to suspend the driver’s license or permit of the individual who is the subject of the hearing or, if the individual does not have a license or permit, to deny the issuance of a license or permit to the individual for a period specified by the court not to exceed 365 days.
If you or your child has an outstanding warrant or citation for the offense of truancy in the State of Texas, contact our truancy attorneys today for a free initial consultation. Our truancy lawyers will discuss your case with you and present you with the best course of action. Do not appear in court unprepared and without understanding all your options. Call our truancy lawyers today.
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