The next Legislative Session won’t start until January of next year, but there are a couple of issues which are likely to be debated during that Session which may be of interest to young Texans. The first of these issues is a possible reform of anti-truancy laws, and the other is the possible reform of the rules for sealing and expunction of certain criminal offenses.

In Texas, the failure to attend school is currently a Class C misdemeanor. Most states do not consider truancy a crime, in fact, Texas is one of only two states which treat it as such. Other states handle the issue of failing to attend school through civil proceedings. If it is determined that handling truancy as a civil offense rather than a criminal offense is feasible, the rules may change to that effect.

Changing truancy from a criminal offense to a civil offense is likely to have positive consequences, for both the offenders and for the state. Incarcerating young people who fail to attend school does not help them to become educated. It can limit their present and future educational opportunities, and it goes a long way towards discouraging those who are already facing social and economic barriers to success. Civil penalties could be designed to discourage truancy, while at the same time accomplishing the purpose of encouraging youth to continue pursuing some form of education.

Possible changes to the rules for sealing and expunction of low-level criminal offenses may also have positive implications for young Texans. It is not uncommon for young people to make a couple of mistakes as they navigate the teen years and grow towards adulthood. Unfortunately, some of the mistakes that some young people make are considered criminal offenses, albeit often minor, non-violent ones. The consequences of these mistakes are far-reaching, and they can affect an offender’s job prospects, housing, educational opportunities, and other areas of their life for many years after they have occurred. Fortunately, the Legislature is considering changing the rules so that certain offenses can be sealed and expunged after a certain period of time, in order to decrease the length of time that the offenders will suffer from the consequences of their convictions.

While some of the issues that are up for debate in next January’s Legislative Session could make life a bit easier for young Texans, being accused of any crime is still a very serious matter. If you have been accused of a crime, it is essential that you get help from an experienced East Texas Criminal Defense Attorney. Criminal charges can have far-reaching impacts on your life, and you need an experienced criminal defense attorney in your corner to help you present your very best case. An East Texas Criminal Defense Attorney can help you pursue the best possible outcome in your stalking case. To learn more, call attorney Alex Tyra today, to schedule a free consultation. We can be reached at (903) 753-7499, or submit a convenient online contact form.