State v. Fanning

The State appeals the dismissal of a misdemeanor charge against Helen Fanning for violation of the compulsory school attendance law. The State argues that the circuit court erred in finding that Section 167.031.1, RSMo 2016,1 is ambiguous as to whether a parent's failure to cause a child between the ages of seven and sixteen to regularly attend school constitutes a misdemeanor under Section 167.061. Because we find that the plain language of Sections 167.031.1 and 167.061 unambiguously criminalizes such conduct, we reverse the circuit court's dismissal and remand the case.

FACTUAL AND…