TRUANCY

            Oklahoma Law holds the parent or legal guardian of a student responsible for their child’s attendance at school.  Oklahoma State Law requires that school officials keep attendance records and report excessive absences to the District Attorney’s Office for the filing of the misdemeanor offense of Failure to Comply with the Compulsory Education Law.

            The penalty for this offense is up to five (5) days in County Jail for every unexcused absence and/or $50 fine per day after the notice has been given.  Fines and jail time increase for subsequent offenses.

            Truancy refers to a student’s unexcused absences at school and all referrals will be based only those days missed.

 The filing of truancy charges should be viewed as an additional tool to leverage parents into working with schools, with the ultimate goal of getting every child back into school.

            It is the mission and goal of the Truancy Program to give every parent the opportunity to re-commit to their child’s education.  Punishment of parents for their child’s past truancy is our last resort.

             The Truancy Program is designed to identify and prosecute parents who permit their children to neglect their education.  Frequent absences from school may be the beginning of a lifetime of problems. 

             Truancy has been clearly identified as one of the early warning signs of students headed for potential delinquent activity.  Truancy is commonly associated with juvenile delinquency and several studies indicate a high correlation between chronic truancy and crime.

             Preventing truancy requires the support of schools, families, and communities.  Prevention and intervention are the two key elements of this program. 

            In the handling of truancy cases, the District Attorney’s Office requires that both parent and student complete a program designed to educate and emphasize the importance of education. 

            Upon completion of the terms and conditions of the agreement, charges against the parent will be dismissed with only the costs of the action (Court Cost) assessed.  Non-compliance will result in a hearing before a Judge and the District Attorney’s Office will proceed with criminal charges.

            Those of us in the District Attorney’s Office want to support you and your children.  We want to see your child in a classroom, not a courtroom.