Have you been charged with truancy in Cincinnati, Ohio? Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers can help when you contact us at (513) 333-0014. We offer a free consultation with a Cincinnati truancy lawyer who can explain your rights and guide you through what comes next.
Facing truancy charges as a parent or guardian can feel intimidating. Ohio law places responsibility on families, and unexcused absences can quickly escalate into court proceedings. Having a knowledgeable attorney by your side helps ensure your voice is heard and your child’s future is protected.
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Why Hire Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers if You’re Arrested for Truancy?
At Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers, we know strong legal support can make a real difference after a truancy arrest. Trying to face the court process by yourself can put your freedom and your future at risk. Even if it seems like a minor offense, the consequences for you or your child can be life-changing.
People in Cincinnati trust our firm because:
- We have a former police officer and a former prosecutor on our team building your defense. We understand the system from both sides.
- Our attorneys have received honors like inclusion in The National Trial Lawyers Top 100. Recognition like this comes from years of effort inside and outside the courtroom.
- With over a century of combined legal experience, our attorneys have successfully handled even the most complex cases.
Prosecutors and school officials can push hard in these situations, but our team pushes back even harder to protect your rights at every step. If you’re facing this situation in Cincinnati, OH, we can help.
Talk to a Cincinnati criminal defense attorney from Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers today.
Overview of Truancy in Ohio
Under Ohio law, a student is considered habitually truant if they are absent from school without a proper excuse for a certain amount of time. It doesn’t have to happen all at once; absences can add up over the school year.
A student is considered truant when they:
- Miss 30 or more consecutive hours without a valid reason
- Miss 42 or more hours in a single school month
- Miss 72 or more hours in a whole school year
A valid reason for missing school typically means any excuse the school accepts, like illness, family emergency, or situations recognized by the school policy.
Limits on School Response
Ohio schools have limits on how they can respond to truancy. They cannot suspend, expel, or remove a student from school just because of truancy. Instead, schools are required to create an Absence Intervention Plan.
This plan often involves meeting with the student and family, and the goal is to solve barriers to regular attendance and help the student get back on track.
Filing in Juvenile Court Should Be a Last Measure
Filing a case in court is used only if school-based plans do not work. Courts in Ohio must look at other options first, such as programs that help or guide students, not punish them right away. If no other options make a difference, the court can declare a student “unruly” due to habitual truancy.
What Are the Penalties for Truancy in Cincinnati, Ohio?
Both students and their parents can face real problems if skipping school becomes a habit. The law takes school attendance seriously, and judges have options when it comes to holding families accountable.
Penalties Imposed Against the Child
If a child gets in trouble for being habitually truant, the court steps in. The judge may order one or more of the following:
- Alternative school or academic program: The child might have to go to a different school or a special program instead of their regular classes.
- Community service: The child could be required to spend time doing helpful work in the community.
- Counseling: The court might decide the child needs to attend drug, alcohol, or psychological counseling. This is ordered if a judge believes there could be an underlying problem that keeps the child from attending school.
- Truancy-prevention mediation: Sometimes the family is asked to sit down with school officials and a mediator to try to work out solutions for getting the child back in the classroom regularly.
If the child is of driving age, the court may also decide to suspend the child’s driver’s license for a certain period of time.
Actions Against Parents or Guardians
Parents or caregivers carry responsibility, too. The law makes it clear that making sure kids attend school is a parent’s job just as much as it is a student’s. If a judge finds that a parent hasn’t been making reasonable efforts to get their child to school, the court can:
- Order participation in community service or mediation: Just like with students, parents might have to do community service or join a mediated meeting with the school to discuss attendance plans.
- Issue a warning: Judges can give formal warnings stating that if absences continue, the parent might actually face criminal charges next time.
- Enforce other court orders: Depending on the case, courts may put further requirements on the family, all aimed at helping solve the attendance problem.
These penalties can have long-term effects on both children and their families.
What Defenses Can Be Raised in Truancy Cases?
If you or your child is facing a truancy case, you might feel overwhelmed or uncertain about your options. There are several defenses that can be raised by your defense lawyer to help explain or justify absences from school.
Some possible defenses include:
- Valid reason for absences: Sometimes, students miss school because of unavoidable reasons like illness, family emergencies, or doctor’s appointments. Having proof, such as doctors’ notes or emails, can help explain these legitimate absences.
- Not enough absences to be considered truancy: Not every absence meets the state’s definition of truancy. If the student did not actually miss enough days to meet the requirements, this could be a strong defense.
- Improvement after intervention plan: If the student attended required meetings, followed through with steps, or made progress on the plan, that effort should be recognized, and the case shouldn’t be filed in juvenile court.
Facing truancy can be stressful, but having reasons for absences or showing cooperation with the school offers a foundation for your defense.
Ohio truancy cases are serious, but you don’t have to handle this situation alone. Courts consider your individual circumstances when determining what to do, and a knowledgeable Cincinnati, Ohio, attorney can help the situation significantly.
When your family’s future is uncertain, a strong legal advocate can help you navigate the court process and work toward getting the best possible outcome for the entire family. Call Suhre & Associates DUI and Criminal Defense Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Cincinnati truancy lawyer.
