Image source: KHOU-TV
The 11th-grade Texas honors student thrown in jail for repeatedly missing school had her charges rescinded Wednesday, clearing the way for the incident to be expunged from her record, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Justice of the Peace Lanny Moriarty signed an order vacating the contempt of court charges against 17-year-old Diane Tran after sentencing her to a night in jail and ordering her to pay $100 for excessive truancy last week.
Tran gained national attention after she gave a teary interview to KHOU-TV in which she said her parents had divorced and moved away, leaving her to work two jobs to support herself and her siblings on top of a heavy course load. She told the station she didn’t want to miss school, but was sometimes simply too exhausted to attend in the mornings.
“She goes from job to job, from school she stays up ’til 7 o’clock in the morning doing her homework,” Tran’s friend Devin Hill told KHOU.
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Comments (48)
inferno
Jun. 1, 2012 at 2:15pmIf certain people used their feet when walking, the way they use their brain. since some people in authority are unable to follow one lucid thought with another, they would literally fall on their respective faces. We seem to be reminded on a daily basis, that critical thinking in our education system has become extinct . However, I suppose it does enhance ones resume, if he or she are able to impress a prespective employer, by indicating they have been trained in the use of condoms !
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TEXASGRANNY73
Jun. 1, 2012 at 5:17pmA wise man changes his mind, a fool never does,
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Arshloch
Jun. 1, 2012 at 2:15pmNow, dismiss this ridiculous excuse for a ‘judge’ before he repeats the same ‘error’.
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Melika
Jun. 1, 2012 at 5:09pmThis guy probably sees hundreds of these cases, most of which are rotten children with no regard for the law or their own education. The judge stated that during the hearing he was unaware of the situation of this girl, the fault of which lies squarely on her attorney. If there is anyone who should be disbarred, it’s the pathetic loser who “represented” her in court.
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Le Sellers
Jun. 1, 2012 at 2:11pmThere is an “Internet fund drive HelpDianeTran.com [that] has reportedly raised $100,000 from 49 states and 18 countries to help support her.”
That ought to get her parents back together, or, at least, together with her.
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watashbuddyfriend
Jun. 1, 2012 at 7:13pmYes, Le Sellers, money is liken unto salt on the taste, it tends to make things better! Monney talks!
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C. Schwehr
Jun. 2, 2012 at 9:24amThank you for mentioning the web site. I don’t have much money for things like this, but I would donate to help this young lady get through this situation. Her parents should be horse whipped for abandoning their children like that, and the judge should be putting THEM in jail, not this fine young woman!!! God bless her and her siblings!
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mr.goodvibe
Jun. 1, 2012 at 2:00pmLocal conservative radio host Michael Berry was the one that tore this judge up, he has a great show from 9-12 eastern and 6-8 eastern, give him a listen, he is great, I think maybe the next rush.
http://michaelberry.iheart.com/main.html
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ICEDRAGONNITE
Jun. 1, 2012 at 2:12pmWhy in the world do we spend so much time making people OBEY the stupid. And then we don’t use common sense.
All I can say is Heil and click my heels together and through up my right hand and proclaim total obedience to the Democratic Police State of the United States of America.
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PapaJohannesPatriot
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:42pmTime to retire this judge. He has no place in the legal system – other than being put behind bars himself.
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BlackCrow
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:40pmThis guy is a Justice of the Peace not a real judge.He deals with traffic court, oversees Constables, tries petty offenses, repossessions, evictions and those sort of things. He has to stand for re-election in November and he handed his opposition a hand grenade with this.
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Obama Snake Oil Co
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:35pmDiane Tran, if you are reading this article on the Blaze, you are wellcome from the people that donated to your cause here in NC. Many of us from Fayetteville shared your story here throughout the state. We encouraged help when we heard what happened. God bless!
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mcsledge
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:27pmOne would expect our judges to be objective and use common sense in their judgments. Unfortunately, it takes a nation to call a judge out for him to do the right thing.
This judge must have had a pretty easy life compared to others who had to support their own siblings while growing up. History will forever remember him as the heartless judge who reversed his opinion due to national pressure.
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zeno265
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:17pmThe Judge did it because of the press attention, he did not want to look stupid
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lizaz
Jun. 1, 2012 at 12:42pmThanks to everyone who contributed to help this outstanding girl!! It’s amazing what the PEOPLE can do, in spite of moron liberal judges who shouldn’t be in their position!!! PEOPLE need to speak out……and they did!!!
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JRook
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:13pmThe only problem with your assertion is that Lanny Moriarty is a Republican. To generalize, particularly without knowing the facts, lies at the height of ignorance.
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Crazyotto
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:23pmYeah! There are plenty of morons on both sides of the aisle.
I think the good news is that the Judge reversed his decision after learning the facts.
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Trading_barracuda
Jun. 1, 2012 at 12:08pm~”According to the Chronicle, the Internet fund drive HelpDianeTran.com has reportedly raised $100,000 from 49 states and 18 countries to help support her.”
~ Thank you Judge for making an “example” out of Diane. She is such a good example!
~ “All things work together for good for those who love God” ~Romans 8:28
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don young
Jun. 1, 2012 at 12:07pmI am glade that judge woke up and did the right thing i was getting tired of hearing about judges that do stupid things.
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Mandors
Jun. 1, 2012 at 12:04pmYet another fool who knows the letter of the law, but not the purpose of the law.
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Myth
Jun. 1, 2012 at 12:02pmThe real story is the fact she was AN HONOR student. The results didn’t matter, she was hauled into court for “missing” school days regardless of being AN HONOR student! Her good grades didn’t count, just the fact that she missed days.
This is what happens when something is regulated by law. The law is then used in ways it was never meant to be used.
Our children’s education should not be regulated. It’s should be a CHOICE. Then you can get the best education possible as our forefathers did.
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o2nine17
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:54amShe is 17, there is no requirement to attend school past the age of 16…. Judge needs a lesson in humanity. Here is someone supporting siblings and still attending school and is a honor student!
Sure, let’s punish her for doing the right thing, what’s next DCYF coming and taking her siblings away because there is no “adult” in the home? Lets force her into welfare and foster care…. I can’t say this enough WTF !!!
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gregjackie1
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:50amThis fine young lady should not have been punished but rather looked at as a role model by the school for her second to none work ethic. The gov’t tends to help those they shouldn’t. otherwise they help the losers and punish the successful. Imagine if some financial assistance could be given to this girls family and let her concentrate on her studies. Think of what she could do then? Possibly in medicine, science, or something else important?
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netmail
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:36pmI’m glad she got a hundred grand and am confident she’ll put it to good use. In the end, this girl has been exposed to be virtuous and hardworking. The judge revealed to be an idiot. For a change, things have turned out just as they should. I’m sure many fine opportunities will come her way now!! Good luck Diane!!
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gregjackie1
Jun. 1, 2012 at 9:52pmWell said, Netmail. Well said.
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TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:50amThis Judge never asked the girl ” what is the problem?” But he wanted to make an example out of her? This Judge need to be thrown out of the Republican Party. And Madeleine Morgenstern, why did you not get a copy of court transcripts? Why are we learning this info now? Have you got a copy of them now? Hack!
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BehindTheMouth
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:48amThat judge is a piece of s**t
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mike_trivisonno
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:43amIt is not enough.
The “judge” needs to be removed from the bench.
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Its_coming
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:43amFirst report was the father was working most of the time….don’t know if that has changed?
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:33amShe didn’t want to tell the judge about her problems, but why couldn’t the lawyer? The young lady has loads of integrity. I wish more young people could be like her. God bless her.
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Sumrknght
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:39amBecause I’ll bet dollars to doughnuts that the young lady didn’t even HAVE a lawyer at her first appearance. Too scared to ask for a public defender or thinking it won’t be a big deal… wrong.
The sentence probably scared her enough to give up some details and ask for help. She was too busy trying to handle everything else on her plate.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:54amYou’re probably right!
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deeberj
Jun. 1, 2012 at 1:09pmShe was likely afraid the courts would break up her family and place them all in foster homes.
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blackyb
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:31amThat is awsome I love my Country and the generaous people who live here, as well as those people who have helped. Those who are helping should make sure it is a legitimate web address. Maybe her lawyer will look into it for her. God bless that girl and her siblings. She is a hero. Those who helped her are heros too.
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Frodo RinosBane
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:21amNow, when can we hear about someone going after the deadbeat parents?
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DirtyDeeds
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:26amExactly!!! That poor child is a wonderful example of family and self motivation! Get those parents!
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AxelPhantom
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:17amThis never should have happened in the first place. My best wishes to this young lady in the future, she has one heck of a work ethic and any employer would have a valuable asset in her.
On second throught, with her gumption, this young lady may be her own employer soon.
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PATTY HENRY
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:15amAll things work together for good for those who love God. Madeline, can you check the legitimacy of this internet fund for Diane Tran. This is one young person I’d love to contribute to. GOOD for the Judge being MAN enough to rescind.
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Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Jun. 1, 2012 at 11:44amWebsite is closed now, due to them reaching their goal. They are asking if you now want to contribute to the Louisiana Children’s Alliance.
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TIME_2_END_THE_GOP_IN_12
Jun. 1, 2012 at 12:41pmPATTY HENRY
Madeline couldn’t even check the court transcripts for her first article and you are asking her to check the legitimacy of this internet fund for Diane Tran? Are you for real?
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