Honor student jailed for missing school cleared of charges

After a judge in Texas sentenced a 17-year-old girl to a night in jail for missing school, critics across the country responded by condemning the court’s decision. A week later, Judge Lanny Moriarty changed his stance.

After paying a $100 fine and serving a 24-hour stint behind bars for an unexcused absence from Willis High School in Houston, Texas, Judge Lanny Moriarty dropped charges against the teenager. Tran, a straight-A honor student enrolled in college-credit classes, missed class because juggling two jobs in addition to her course load became too burdensome at times.

"If you let one run loose, what are you going to do with the rest of them? Let them go, too?" Moriarty asked local KHOU 11 News last week.