Truancy Fines Considered for North Ogden Teens

With truancy already a problem just two short weeks into school, the city of North Ogden is considering more drastic punishments for kids who are skipping school. While most officials are in favor, some have questioned the consideration.

Truancy: Or “Sluffing” as the Kids Call It

According to a report from the Standard-Examiner, police officer Jeremy Hindes stated that after just two weeks into school, they are already catching at least six kids a day sluffing. Even though parents are being contacted, apparently the same kids are offending the next day. So the city of North Ogden is considering a more drastic approach to handling this truancy problem: a $50 fine for a second offense and a visit to youth court. This would essentially be a daytime curfew for those under 17. Exceptions would be given to home school kids and kids on a lunch break or going to appointments.

Different than juvenile court, a student sent to youth court would have punishment–typically community service–decided by a jury of their peers. According to Hindes, Weber High School used to have a youth court that was very effective.

If the second punishment for the truancy wasn’t enough, the city is also considering the possibility of giving the parents a class C misdemeanor. According to Hindes, “We don’t even have parent support most times.” While the city mayor and school principals seem to be in favor of this new law, some parents are speaking out, saying that it violates the students’ right to move freely. However, North Ogden city attorney was quoted as saying that more and more cities are doing similar things to address truancy issues in their own area.

The issue will be voted on by the city council in the upcoming weeks.

Truancy May Lead to Bigger Problems

Truancy is clearly an issue that shouldn’t be ignored. Kids need to be in school so they can learn and become more productive members of society, but for some of them, they just need that supervision to keep them out of bigger trouble. If your child is already in that position of being in bigger trouble with the law, make sure to contact a sympathetic and experienced juvenile defense attorney who will look out for your child’s best interests.