Can I drop out to avoid Truancy charges or is it to late?

Anonymous Jan 9, 2015 Bankruptcy and Debt 3 views 1 answers

i am currently a high school student who may be facing a Truancy charge. I have missed 46 days (12 excused), and my attendance hasn't been up to par in the past; however, a majority of the days I have missed have been due to my father being in the hospital and death in my family, or social anxiety. I i have had meetings with my guidance counselor, and graduation coach personally, but the extent of contact between my father and the school has been limited to nothing but phone calls. They tried to call him in for a meeting a few days before Christmas break, but he was in the hospital. Now the school has called saying that my father could be facing up to 60 days in jail or a $500 fine, and I would just like to know what my options are. Can I drop out to avoid this or is it to late?

Attorney Answer

1

Matthew Berkus

Matthew Berkus · Jun 15, 2026

1. Dropping out won't resolve the truancy issue. The criminal act (for lack of a better phrase) is already complete, you missed school. If you steal a shirt from Macy's, take it home, then decide to sneak it back in and put it back...you still committed theft even though you returned the item. The crime was complete when you left the store without paying for the shirt. The fact that you put the shirt back may mitigate the punishment, but it does not absolve the crime. 2. As a preliminary question, are you even eligible to drop out? There is a process to it depending on your age. 3. Bottom line, all states have compulsory school attendance (it is law, not just school policy). There are exceptions, excused absences, hardship, etc. But, 46 days is beyond anything that is allowed in an exception. To be gone that long, you needed to be proactive and get permission. Now you are in the unenviable situation of having to ask for forgiveness The issue you need to research is what your state allows as exceptions/defenses to truancy. A simple search for your state's education code should do the trick.

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