Did the officer have the right to arrest me for Truancy because I was walking late to school?

Question

Well a while ago, my mom said she'd stop waking me up for school, I had my own responsibilities. I was fine with that and started using my alarm clock. A couple weeks in, I guess I must have pressed the snooze too many times because I looked at the clock and it was 8:21 (my school starts at 7:45). So I knew I was late, but I figured, if I'm 5 minutes late or 95 minutes late, I'm still late. So I still did my regular morning routine (shower, put on my uniform, eat, etc). By the time I was done, it was about 8:53. My parents were at work and the buses were long gone, so I walked to school. I turned a couple streets too late, so I missed the school. After going through the neighborhood I accidentally entered, I realized, I was lost. I figured to just keep walking and I'd find it eventually. I'm walking and a loud noise scares me. It's a cop siren. He comes out and is all mean to me. He asked where I was headed off too. I told him school. Then he asked me why I was walking this

Way when I should be heading that way. I told him I was a little lost. Then he said “That’s a likely story, but don’t worry, well I’m gonna make sure you don’t get lost, you’re under arrest for Truancy.” He tells me to turn against the wall. He handcuffs me behind my back and put me in the cop car. We arrive at school and he leads me through the halls. He puts me on a bench with my handcuffs still on and tells me to wait there while he talks to the principal. Luckily no one saw, but within seconds. The bell rang for passing period. Students were out everywhere. No one noticed my handcuffs because I tried to sit on them, until my principal told me to come in. When I got up everyone made a huge deal about it. Everyone formed outside the office to see what was going on. Thankfully, they were sent away to class. I had to sit there until my parents came. In about an hour, they were there. I explained everything, but no one would believe me. My principal just wanted me to go

to class, but the officer demanded punishment. After some debates about what to do, I was freed and told to go to class. I did and tried not to talk to anyone. When school was over, I was called down to the office. As soon as I got there, I was handcuffed behind my back and was told we had to go to the station to clear everything out and that my parents would be waiting. It was so embarrassing to be led through the halls in my handcuffs. So did this cop have the right to do this? Was I wrongly accused?

Answer 1

Sorry to hear about your situation but I'll put it out as dry and clear cut as it gets...........if by 7:45 you are not in your class or on the campus or school grounds for that matter you are not considered to be at school or under their supervision. You are therefore absent. If you are not at home or at the hospital due to your illness but out on the street then you could be considered truant. They'll presume that you are skipping out on your day and that you have no intentions to be in school if you are not at the campus regardless if you are walking to it or from it (campus). Your word is not enough. The proof that the police officer found you astray on the streets outside of school grounds is the evidence that you were not in class and therefore cited for truancy.


Hope this helps. Goodluck.

Answer 2

No, you weren't wrongly accused. You WERE out of school when you should already be there. Yes, he did have the right to arrest you. Own up to your own mistakes.

Another thing that is hard to believe is the fact you got lost. How long have you been going to this school? This is where I stop believing you are telling the truth. Obviously, the police officer didn't buy it either.

So, what IS the truth?

Answer 3

why do you keep making up stories about your catholic school. like gd. get a life.

Answer 4

Maybe he just wanted to pat you down. Are you hot?