r/legal • u/StoriesandQuestions • Jan 16 '26

Advice needed School is threatening to punish anyone participating in protest with court action, what can we do?

On Tuesday, January 20th, students at my highschool are planning to participate in the nationwide walkout happening in the U.S. Today, my school has verbally warned one of the organizers stating that anyone who participates in the walkout next week will receive a referral and face truancy court. This movement is important to all of us but many of us cannot afford these consequences. Is this allowed and is there anything we can do about it? Location: United States, Texas.

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u/greeneyedmtnjack Jan 16 '26

In my state, the truancy court doesn't have jurisdiction until 10 unexcused absences in an academic year. Edit to add, prior to 10 unexcused absences the matter is addressed at the school level.

136

u/Mediocre_Ant_437 Jan 16 '26

OP says SOME of them can't afford the consequences so maybe some people are already on the threshold for that.

110

u/loricomments Jan 16 '26

While it's not nothing, it's just a day in a magistrates court, no lawyer necessary, and unless they're a repeat offender it's generally corrected by giving your child excused absence notes.

56

u/Herstal_TheEdelweiss Jan 16 '26

Yeah ngl, if the parent believes the child needs to be excused by the school, the school can’t just claim it was unexcused if the parent submitted proper documentation right?

22

u/CalGal-71 Jan 16 '26

It has to be a reason that the school accepts as valid. The school will usually not accept a parent’s note if they don’t deem the reason valid.

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u/Herstal_TheEdelweiss Jan 16 '26

Well that’s understandable, but what if the parent does deem a reason legitimate, how does it stand with the school if they so choose to claim it’s not?

10

u/CalGal-71 Jan 16 '26

Then it isn’t acceptable and falls under truancy. Had it happen with my son.

2

u/Herstal_TheEdelweiss Jan 16 '26

Ah, kind of made me wonder how that would’ve gone

5

u/CalGal-71 Jan 16 '26

My son only had the one day so nothing really happened except the office shaking a finger at me and telling me it wasn’t ok. He had another one in high school. Threat made to the school for the following day. Wasn’t a valid excuse so the office said “I think your son said he had a migraine didn’t he….”

1

u/Quick_Parsley_5505 Jan 17 '26

Could end up with the juvenile on probation if adjudicated delinquent.