News Release
January 31, 2006
Truancy Court At Horace Mann Middle School Friday, Feb. 10
The "Traveling Truancy Court" will hold its session on Friday, Feb. 10 at Horace Mann Middle School (4130 Navajo St.). The court session will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students, school staff and community members are invited to observe the proceedings as the court manages truancy proceedings throughout the day. The court will be held in the school auditorium.
The court hears petitions filed by Denver Public Schools to compel compulsory school attendance. The compulsory school attendance statute applies to any six- to 16-year-old child who has been enrolled in a public school in the first grade or higher. It is the duty of the attorney for the school district to initiate proceedings to enforce compulsory school attendance. After the parent and the child have been given written notice, the attorney for the district initiates a case to compel compliance.
The juvenile court may order the child or parent (or both) to follow an appropriate treatment plan that addresses problems affecting the child's school attendance and that ensures the child has an opportunity to obtain a quality education. If the child or parent does not comply, the court may order an investigation by the Department of Human Services. The child and parent may also be asked to show cause as to why he or she should not be held in contempt of court. Part of the treatment plan may include community service or other supervised activities.
Denver's Presiding Juvenile Court Judge is Karen M. Ashby. Two other Juvenile Court Judges are Dana U. Wakefield and Orrelle R. Weeks. In addition to the three judges, Denver Juvenile Court has two Magistrates who perform judicial duties as assigned by Judge Ashby. Currently, Kathleen Janski is the acting Magistrate for truancy court. However, she rotates each year with Magistrate Bernard Messer. On each Friday during the school year, one of the Judges or Magistrates will hear the petitions to compel compulsory school attendance filed by Denver Public Schools.
For more information, contact the DPS Communications Office at 720-423-3414.