NCJ Number
191684
Journal
Juvenile and Family Justice Today Volume: 10 Issue: 3 Dated: Fall 2001 Pages: 26-27
Date Published
2001
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This article provides information about the Rhode Island Truancy Court.
Abstract
The Truancy Court was established in September 1999 to confront juvenile delinquency in its early stages and adjudicate cases involving truancy. Before this court was introduced, truancy petitions took about six to nine months to be fully resolved. Therefore, the child offender would miss a great deal of school. With this new court, petitions are heard in a far shorter time. School administrators and counselors as well as the community are involved in the process. The visibility of the Truancy Court within the school system serves as a reminder to potential truants that there are consequences for their behavior. At the same time it offers a more efficient process for children and their families. According to the authors, since the Truancy Court was created, school attendance for both middle school and high school students increased.