If we were discussing felonies yes you would not find argument on that point likely on this board. What we are talking about here though can usually in most states be handled by persons with some common sense in the school district. In other words Co-op in lieu of classes or does the state prohibit Co-OP programs as well? It should have never hit the court room to start with. The whole purpose for school is education. This girl had better than average grades. Someone with half a brain could have handled this. I know because been there done that with my school system when I took custody of a child who had missed maximum of unexcused days due to the parents actions. It never got to court even though the child missed considerably more in my care due to a lot of appointments the child needed.
This was what? A county court? From what I can read on a short search of Texas Compulsory attendance law it is THE PARENTS who face legal responsibility and any prosecution. By what authority is she being prosecuted? Judge wants someone to make an example of it should have been the parents and not her. BTW what was this doing in a court that gives her an adult criminal record? She didn't shoplift, rob a store or steal a car. She was working, even while she was working making Honor Grades, and caring for her siblings. No good deed goes unpunished especially under Authoritarian State mandates.
I agree with what you say, but the Municipal Court had the authority to prosecute. If the prosecution brings it before the judge, then it is his responsibility to uphold the letter of the law. I am trying to get in touch with Lanny, but it isn’t easy when a witch hunt is going on!