School is officially back in session! The little ones are off to grammar school, the teens are groggily waking every morning to make it to first period, and our college kids are back at school-hopefully studying hard! (And, of course, enjoying themselves and seeing what the world has to offer!)
Here are a few back to school reminders:
1. Stay safe! Whether you drive, take the train, ride the bus or your bike to work or school, keep your eyes and ears open! And remember, there are criminal penalties associated with certain behavior on or around public transportation.
So… Stay off the tracks! Not only is it extremely dangerous to cross the tracks when the gates are down or at a non-designated crosswalk, you can be fined! Individuals cited for illegally crossing railroad tracks face a $250 fine for the first offense and a $500 fine for the second offense. The Secretary of State may suspend an individual’s driver’s license for any second or subsequent violation of 625 ILCS 5/11-1201.
2. Don’t skip school! A student is truant when he or she must be in school and is absent without a valid cause. If a student is truant, the school truancy officer or superintendent must notify the parent of his or her child’s absence. If three notices have been issued and not complied with, and the parent knowingly and willfully allowed the behavior to continue, the superintendent will conduct a truancy hearing. If the superintendent finds the child is truant, the student is required to complete 20 to 40 hours of community service. If the truancy persists, the superintendent must (1) file a complaint against the custodian with the state’s attorney, or (2) conduct truancy mediation. If the truant behavior continues, and the child is beyond the control of the custodian, a truancy petition with the court is filed. Click here to check out the relevant provisions of the Illinois State School Administrative Code.
3. Attention Kids and Parents: Remember curfews! A minor may be charged with violating curfew law if he or she remains in any public place during curfew hours. Curfew hours are between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 am on Saturday; between 12:01 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on Sunday; and between 11:00 p.m. on Sunday to Thursday and 6:00 a.m. on the next day.
4. Bullying and Hazing: Each school must have a bullying policy and present the policy to its students and their parents each year. The Illinois School Code defines bullying as severe physical or verbal threats, including information written on the internet, which is directed toward a student and either
(1) puts the student in reasonable fear of harm;
(2) causes a substantially detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;
(3) substantially interferes with the student’s academic performance; or
(4) substantially interferes with the student’s ability to participate in/benefit from school activities.
Various forms of bullying identified by the code include: harassment, threats, intimidation, stalking, physical violence, sexual harassment/violence, public humiliation, or destruction of property. A student who violates his or her school’s bullying code is subject to school administrative proceedings.
Contact the Law Offices of Laura Morask if you have any school administrative issues, have been issued a citation for any of the above, or have a question about your criminal or traffic case.
Don’t forget! Download our mobile app for either Android or iPhone today!
