Truancy - Other Resources

Guidelines for Courtroom Behavior

• Be on time for your hearing.
• Upon arrival, sign-in and have a seat in the waiting area.
• Be familiar with your papers. You may use written notes and may take notes during the hearing.
• Listen for your case to be called over the loudspeaker. You will be called to report to a designated courtroom.
• No food, drinks nor gum chewing are permitted in the courtroom. Turn off cell phones and pagers during your hearing.
• Although these are open hearings, you may ask the court to identify parties in the courtroom that you do not know. You may object to the presence of any individual who is not a party to the action by asking that the court exclude that individual from the courtroom. The court may in its discretion ask that person to leave or allow the person to remain.

When testifying before the Court:

• Be respectful and courteous with the Court.
• Always address the Judge/Commissioner as "Your Honor."
• Do not interrupt.
• If something needs to be clarified, wait until it is your turn to speak or politely ask to speak again.
• Do not speak until the Judge/Commissioner asks you to speak.
• When speaking the Judge/Commissioner, keep your head up and maintain eye contact. Keep your hands away from your mouth and speak loudly.
• Stick to the facts.
• Describe incidents clearly and concisely.

Truancy and Violence Prevention

• Blueprints for Violence Prevention
• Washington State Institute for Public Policy
• WA State Superintendent of Public Instruction
• US Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
• US Department of Education
• The Promising Practices Network
• Colorado Foundation for Families and Children

Truancy Laws

Truancy Forms

Truancy Homepage