Looks like the judge had a change of heart. The truancy charges against 17-year-old honor student Diane Tran, which landed her in jail and received national attention, have reportedly been rescinded: Charges dropped against honor student jailed for truancy.According to court records, Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Lanny Moriarty signed an order that vacates Tran's contempt of court conviction, which would allow for the issue to be expunged from her record.
Tran, whose parents split up and left her on her own, was working two jobs to support two siblings, on top of trying to keep up with homework for her heavy course load. Understandably, she's exhausted, and missed a few classes.
The judge previously said that he wanted to make an example out of her, but it's pretty clear now that he wasn't aware, or never even bothered to understand, the extenuating circumstance behind Diane's absences:
Moriarty had counseled Tran the first time she was summoned to his court for excessive truancy April 25. He explained the importance of going to class and ordered her to start attending regularly.She should never have been forced to serve jail time in the first place. But at least the judge was able to summon some compassion to make things right, after the fact. More here: Diane Tran, Texas Honor Student Jailed For Missing School, Has Contempt Order Vacated.
But on May 23 Tran was brought back for failing to attend an additional four days as well as portions of another four days.
During her court appearance, however, Tran never revealed any personal struggles to the court.
Tran, a junior described by friends as "quiet and shy," could not be reached for comment. But her attorney, Brian Wice, said Tran was under an incredible amount of pressure from working two jobs and was unsure what to tell the court.