Washington · statute · Wash. Rev. Code ch. 13.40 · 89 active provisions
(1) This chapter shall be known and cited as the Juvenile Justice Act of 1977.(2) It is the intent of the legislature that a system capable of having primary responsibility for, being accountable for, and responding to the needs of youthful offenders and their victims, as defined by this chapter, be established. It is…
For the purposes of this chapter:(1) "Assessment" means an individualized examination of a child to determine the child's psychosocial needs and problems, including the type and extent of any mental health, substance abuse, or co-occurring mental health and substance abuse disorders, and recommendations for treatment.…
(1) The secretary shall submit guidelines pertaining to the nature of the security to be imposed on youth placed in his or her custody based on the age, offense(s), and criminal history of the juvenile offender. Such guidelines shall be submitted to the legislature for its review no later than November 1st of each year…
The sentencing guidelines and prosecuting standards apply equally to juvenile offenders in all parts of the state, without discrimination as to any element that does not relate to the crime or the previous record of the offender.
DESCRIPTION AND OFFENSE CATEGORYjuveniledispositionoffensecategorydescription (rcw citation)juvenile dispositioncategory forattempt, bailjump,conspiracy, orsolicitation Arson and Malicious Mischief AArson 1 (9A.48.020)B+ BArson 2 (9A.48.030)C CReckless Burning 1 (9A.48.040)D DReckless Burning 2 (9A.48.050)E BMalicious…
(1) It is the policy of this state that all county juvenile detention facilities provide a humane, safe, and rehabilitative environment and that unadjudicated youth remain in the community whenever possible, consistent with public safety and the provisions of chapter 13.40 RCW.(2) The counties shall develop and impleme…
(1) A juvenile may be taken into custody:(a) Pursuant to a court order if a complaint is filed with the court alleging, and the court finds probable cause to believe, that the juvenile has committed an offense or has violated terms of a disposition order or release order; or(b) Without a court order, by a law enforceme…
(1) When a police officer has reasonable cause to believe that a juvenile has committed acts constituting a nonfelony crime that is not a serious offense as identified in RCW 10.77.665, and the officer believes that the juvenile suffers from a mental disorder, and the local prosecutor has entered into an agreement with…
(1) In any juvenile offender case where an offender has been sentenced for an offense where an adjudication for a prison riot offense that occurred in a facility operated by the department of children, youth, and families or a county juvenile detention facility was used as a basis for the offender's sentence or disposi…
(1) The department shall establish rules for including prison riot behavior as described in RCW 9.94.010(1) as an infraction that is managed through the internal behavioral management infraction system.(2) By August 1, 2025, the department shall respond to prison riot behavior as described in RCW 9.94.010(1) that occur…
The secretary or the secretary's designee shall issue arrest warrants for juveniles who escape from department residential custody. The secretary or the secretary's designee may issue arrest warrants for juveniles who abscond from parole supervision or fail to meet conditions of parole. These arrest warrants shall auth…
(1) When a juvenile taken into custody is held in detention:(a) An information, a community supervision modification or termination of diversion petition, or a parole modification petition shall be filed within seventy-two hours, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excluded, or the juvenile shall be released; and(b) A det…
(1) As provided in this chapter, the court may order a juvenile to post a probation bond as defined in RCW 13.40.020 or to deposit cash or post other collateral in lieu of a probation bond, to enhance public safety, increase the likelihood that a respondent will appear as required to respond to charges, and increase co…
No fine, administrative fee, cost, or surcharge may be imposed or collected by the court or any agent of the court against any juvenile or a juvenile's parent or guardian, or other person having custody of the juvenile, in connection with any juvenile offender proceeding including, but not limited to, fees for diversio…
(1) All actions under this chapter shall be commenced and tried in the county where any element of the offense was committed except as otherwise specially provided by statute. In cases in which diversion is provided by statute, venue is in the county in which the juvenile resides or in the county in which any element o…
(1) Complaints referred to the juvenile court alleging the commission of an offense shall be referred directly to the prosecutor. The prosecutor, upon receipt of a complaint, shall screen the complaint to determine whether:(a) The alleged facts bring the case within the jurisdiction of the court; and(b) On a basis of a…
RECOMMENDED PROSECUTING STANDARDSFOR CHARGING AND PLEA DISPOSITIONSINTRODUCTION: These standards are intended solely for the guidance of prosecutors in the state of Washington. They are not intended to, do not, and may not be relied upon to create a right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a p…
(1) A diversion agreement shall be a contract between a juvenile accused of an offense and a diversion unit whereby the juvenile agrees to fulfill certain conditions in lieu of prosecution. A juvenile's parent or guardian cannot decline to enter into a diversion agreement on behalf of the juvenile and cannot prevent a…
RCW 13.40.020 applies to all completed juvenile diversion agreements and those which are in place but not yet completed on or after July 27, 2025, regardless of when the underlying offense was committed.
Within available funding, when a youth who has been diverted under RCW 13.40.070 for an alleged offense of prostitution or prostitution loitering is referred to the department, the department shall connect that youth with the services and treatment specified in RCW * 74.14B.060 and 74.14B.070.
The county prosecuting attorney shall be a party to all juvenile court proceedings involving juvenile offenders or alleged juvenile offenders.The prosecuting attorney may, after giving appropriate notice to the juvenile court, decline to represent the state of Washington in juvenile court matters except felonies unless…
(1) Upon the filing of an information the alleged offender shall be notified by summons, warrant, or other method approved by the court of the next required court appearance.(2) If notice is by summons, the clerk of the court shall issue a summons directed to the juvenile, if the juvenile is twelve or more years of age…
(1) Discretionary decline hearing - The prosecutor, respondent, or the court on its own motion may, before a hearing on the information on its merits, file a motion requesting the court to transfer the respondent for adult criminal prosecution and the matter shall be set for a hearing on the question of declining juris…
All hearings may be conducted at any time or place within the limits of the judicial district, and such cases may not be heard in conjunction with other business of any other division of the superior court.
(1) A juvenile is eligible for deferred disposition unless he or she:(a) Is charged with a sex or violent offense;(b) Has a criminal history which includes any felony;(c) Has a prior deferred disposition or deferred adjudication; or(d) Has two or more adjudications.(2) The juvenile court may, upon motion at least fourt…