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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.

Primary Contact Name: Anne Lee
Position: Executive Director
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Phone: 206-322-2444
Website: https://teamchild.org/ 
Twitter: @TeamChild
Facebook: @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.

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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.

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