RI Truancy System Needs Monitoring

Rhode Island Truancy

Violators of truancy laws in RI fall under the title, "status offenders," because although their actions may be considered disrespectful, disruptive, or non-conformist, they are also patently non-violent, and non-criminal in nature.

The Rhode Island Family Court Magistrates who have sent over 28 minor children to the state's training facility in the past 5 years however, justify their actions with complaints of disrespectful behavior in their courts.

The fact that these children are being forced to spend one, at times two nights in the state juvenile training school with teenagers who are incarcerated for much more serious, criminal offenses. They are subjected to the same intake treatment as their criminally charged cell mates, of strip searches, blood and urine testing, and wear prison uniforms. The practice has not gone unnoticed by law-makers.

The law in RI states that no child will be held at the Training School for a status offense. The law is being circumvented by holding the children in criminal contempt of court; thereby making their trip to the juvenile facility "legal."

Because very few children have access to an attorney for truancy hearings, and the records are closed to the public, very little information is discovered while the process is taking place.

The full article discussing the provisions of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, as well as RI Public Defender Hardiman's comments can be read HERE


 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have questions about this posting or are interested in Criminal Defense, Divorce, or Immigration Law in RI contact Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer John E. MacDonald at 401-421-1440.

To learn more about The Law Office of John MacDonald, please visit his website at AggressiveLegalServices.com.