Washington
Contact Information
TeamChild began in 1995 as an innovative partnership between public defenders and civil legal aid attorneys who were frustrated to see children cycle in and out of the juvenile justice system without receiving assistance to address the underlying causes of their delinquency. Since then, TeamChild has been upholding the legal rights of marginalized youth across Washington State by breaking down barriers at the intersection of education, mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems.
Phone: 206-322-2444
Website: https://teamchild.org/
Twitter: @TeamChild
Legislation
Bill Number: HB 2277
Type of Reform
Detention Reform - Prohibits holding children charged as adults in adult jails for more than 24 hours, except in the interests of justice after a hearing (Sec. 8); also prohibits solitary confinement of juveniles.
Year: 2020
Bill Number: HB 1646
Type of Reform
Detention Reform - Provided for youth tried as adults to remain in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families until they turn 25.
Year: 2019
Bill Number: SB 6160
Type of Reform
Transfer Reform - Limited the number of offenses that could result in an adult criminal court having exclusive jurisdiction over a 16 and 17-year-old. Provided that a juvenile court can retain residual jurisdiction over youth until age 25, if that youth turns 18 during an adult criminal court proceeding, and is returned to juvenile court for disposition.
Year: 2018
Bill Number: SB 6550
Type of Reform
Transfer Reform - Limited the types of offenses that prosecutors must file information onto the court. Specifically allowed for diversion of second-degree assault and robbery. This is significant since second-degree assault and robbery are statutorily excluded from juvenile court, so without diversion, 16 and 17-year-old youth would be tried as adults.
Year: 2018
Bill Number: HB 1674
Type of Reform
Detention Reform - Required Washington DOC to transfer juveniles sentenced as adults who are expected to complete their sentence prior to their 21st birthday to the Department of Social and Health Services.
Year: 2015
Bill Number: SB 5064
Type of Reform
Sentencing Reform - Abolished Juvenile Life Without Parole (JLWOP)
Year: 2014
Bill Number: HB 1289
Type of Reform
Transfer Reform - Required a hearing before youth can be prosecuted in adult court.
Year: 2011
Bill Number: SB 5746
Type of Reform
Transfer Reform - Eliminated the “once an adult” rule where the youth was found not guilty. In the same year, the legislature also amended the automatic transfer provision to allow a youth to be transferred back to juvenile court upon agreement of the defense and prosecution without requiring a reduction of the charge.
Year: 2009
Bill Number: HB 1187
Type of Reform
Sentencing Reform - Eliminated the application of mandatory minimum sentences to youth tried as adults
Year: 2005
Reports
The Effectiveness of Declining Juvenile Court Jurisdiction of Youth (2013)
This report examines recidivism rates for children who are automatically prosecuted and sentenced as adults, finding that recidivism is higher for youth who are automatically charged as adults.
Educating Juveniles in Adult Jails: A Program Guide (2010)
This report offers suggestions and guidelines for the development and operation of education programs for youth under 18 held in adult jails.