By Judge Steve Walker
For
the past 72 Sunday’s, “Ask the Judge” columns have covered every conceivable aspect
of the Justice of the Peace Courts from truancy, evictions, small claims,
disorderly students, traffic tickets to a three part series on how to appear on
the Judge Judy Show on NBC.
“Ask the Judge” has even featured some of the crazy comments made in the court that makes you want to say, “huh” or “what the?”
Today
the column relates a success story starring little 5-year-old Pre-K student
Jayzee. (Not her real name for the obvious reasons)
Recently
little “Jayzee” entered my court with her father who was charged with
contributing to the failure of his daughter attending school.
By
law, once a student is enrolled in school, from that point until they walk the
stage with a high school diploma or earn a GED, they are mandated to attend
school or face a truancy charge.
Middle
school students and high school students are charged with failure to attend school
when they skip classes, and their parents with contributing to their failure to
attend. We hold both of them accountable.
When
the student attends elementary school, only the parent is charged. 1st
graders don’t skip school. It is parents who for whatever reason don’t take
their children to school or turn in their doctor’s notes when they are sick.
When
Jayzee and her father approached the bench after their names were called, I
said, “hello” to little Jayzee. As a retired teacher with a few years in
elementary school, I can’t resist from interacting with the little ones.
I
asked her, “What is your name?” She replied, “Jayzee, Judge.” I was impressed
that she addressed me as “Judge.” I then inquired how she was doing. Her
response to me surprised me. “Not so well. I have missed lots of school, but
now my daddy takes me everyday!”
I
said, “You are a smart little girl.” Then in a joking manner I continued, “Have
you ever thought about going to law school?” She looked at me, started laughing
and responded with, “Are you kidding? I don’t think so!”
Needless
to say she became an instant hit with all those present in the court who burst
out laughing.
It
turns out the father was a single parent since she was six months old. After
the man explained that he had relied on neighbors and relatives to take her to
school because of his work schedule, he reported that he changed his work
schedule so he could ensure she got to school on time.
The
attendance officer recommended that we bring him back at the end of the school
year to check her attendance. We determined that if he successfully ensured his
daughter show up to school on time for the rest of the school year, we would
dismiss the case.
When
she left with her father, I said, “See you later Jayzee.” She smiled, waived
and responded as she left the court, “See you later Judge.”
Two
weeks later she was back in court with her father. When I recognized her in the
front row, I said “Hello Jayzee how are you doing.” How could I not remember
sweet little Jayzee?
She
stood up in the first row, crossed her arms across her chest and blurted out, “I
graduated from Pre-K yesterday and I have a diploma!”
That
elicited lots of laughter in the courtroom. I said, “Congratulations Jayzee.
Are you sure you don’t want to go to law school?” She smiled and responded, “I
don’t think so.” Again more laughter in the courtroom erupted.
I
then announced, “Ladies and Gentlemen we have a graduate. Give Jayzee a round
of applause.” The applause was thundering. She beamed a big smile and as she
left waiving, she said, “See you later Judge!”
After
she left my words to all in the courtroom were, “If little Jayzee can receive a
diploma from Pre-K, you all can get a diploma and walk the stage. Go back go
school.”
Success
stories do happen on occasion. Sometimes more thank you think. I believe
Jayzee’s story was a success story. It inspired me for sure.
Lastly
as always, if you are due in court, be sure to show up to court on time. It is
in everyone’s best interest.
Justice of the Peace, Pct. 2 Steve Walker is a Vietnam
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