Dallas County’s Truancy Court and Juvenile District Courts are under the microscope as the US government launches an investigation into allegations of due process violations and lack of access for children with disabilities.
The probe, announced by Attorney General Eric Holder, will focus on whether the courts provide constitutionally required due process to all children charged with failure to attend school, a criminal offense equivalent to truancy under Texas law.
According to the US government, Dallas County prosecuted approximately 20,000 failure to attend school cases in 2014, a staggering number that has raised concerns about the treatment of vulnerable children.
‘The Constitution’s guarantee of due process applies to every individual, regardless of age or disability,’ said Attorney General Eric Holder. ‘This investigation continues the Justice Department’s focus on identifying and eliminating entryways to the school-to-prison pipeline, and illustrates the potential of federal civil rights law to protect the rights of vulnerable children facing life-altering circumstances.’
The investigation will include a comprehensive review of policies, procedures, court documents, and statistical data, as well as interviews of individuals knowledgeable about the courts’ processes.
The US government will conduct the investigation using its authority under Section 14141 of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Individuals with relevant information are encouraged to contact the department via email at community.dallascounty@usdoj.gov or by phone at 1-855-258-1433.
Defendant: Dallas County Truancy Court
Criminal Charges: Truancy and Contempt
City and State: Dallas, Texas
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence or Outcome: Investigation ongoing
Dollar Amounts: Not applicable
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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