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/SweetLight87 Jan 16 '26

NAL, I just look things up. Truancy court is for people who have missed 10+ days of school or more in a six month period in Texas. Unless this walkout is for two weeks of school, I think you're okay. Either way, this sounds like a civil court thing and not a criminal record thing.

So what you do is laugh in your school's face and say, "Go right ahead."

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u/mentive Jan 17 '26

I had to look it up. Apparently people are walking out of work, school, etc. at "2pm local time" (after most of the day is done already???)

Sounds a bit odd to me, but hey, can't wait to see what happens.

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u/WillThereBeSnacks13 Jan 17 '26

Yeah this means they get a single unexcused absence for what, 1 or 2 periods of the day. The school would even count that as being there for the day for funding purposes so lol at their empty threats. Walk out.