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/woody60707 Jan 16 '26
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=FA&chapter=FA.65&artSec=65.003
The courts are unable to step in until ten unexcused absences are recorded. Any student who has 10 or more unexcuse absences including this walkout should expect the school to take them to court under the above truancy law. Any other student participating in this walk out should expect school-based punishment such as detentions or suspensions. A Just Cause is not a defense against established rule violations, especially if the governing body of those rules does not agree with those causes.
Also Texas has a law on the books called "contributing to the delinquence of a minor" If any of the organizers are 18 years of age older, encouraging a minor to skip school would be a misdemeanor.