Superior Court of the State of Washington

SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON

FOR THE COUNTY OF LEWIS

(360) 740-1178

360 N.W. North St., MS:JUV01 Fax (360) 748-2258

Chehalis, WA 98532-1900 TDD (360) 740-1480

Holli J. Spanski, MPAJUVENILE COURT Hon. Nelson Hunt

Administrator Judge - Department No. 1

Susan E. Wickert Hon. James W. Lawler

Office Manager Judge – Department No. 2

Charles R. West Hon. Richard L. Brosey

Detention Manager Judge – Department No. 3

Shad B. Hail Tracy Loiacono Mitchell

Probation Lead Court Commissioner

AT-RISK YOUTH LEGISLATION
R.C.W. 13.32A Effective 7/23/1995

At-risk youth means a juvenile:

l.who is absent from home for at least seventy-two consecutive hours without consent of his or her parent;

2.who is beyond the control of his or her parent such that the child’s behavior endangers the health, safety, or welfare of the child or any other person; or

3.who has a substance abuse problem for which there are no pending criminal charges related to the substance abuse.

A parent who believes their child meets the above listed definition may contact the Division of Children and Family Services at 1-888-713-6115 (new petitions)or for general information 807-7080 and discuss their situation with a case worker or receive a Petition for an Order on At Risk Youth by going to the local DCFS office at 3401 Galvin Rd., Centralia. The parent may then file with the Juvenile Court a petition in the interest of the child alleged to be an at-risk youth.

The petition may be filed in the Juvenile Court at l255 SW Pacific, at the corner of l3th Street and Pacific in Chehalis. After filing the petition in Juvenile Court, a fact finding hearing is scheduled within five days if the child is on the run or 10 judicial days. (excluding Saturday, Sunday and court holidays)if the child is living at home or in an out of home placement. At the fact finding hearing the juvenile will be appointed an attorney and the parent/guardian has a right to an attorney at parent’s own expense.

At the fact finding the judge shall grant the petition and enter an order finding the child to be an at-risk youth if the allegations in the petition are established by a preponderance of the evidence. A dispositional hearing shall then be held no later than l4 days after the court has granted the petition.

At the dispositional hearing regarding an adjudicated at-risk youth, the court:

l.Shall consider the recommendations of the parties and the
recommendations of any dispositional plan submitted by the
department. The court may enter a dispositional order that will assist
the parent in maintaining the care, custody, and control of the child
and assist the family to resolve family conflicts or problems.

2.May set conditions of supervision for the child that include:

a.Regular school attendance;

b.Counseling;

c.Participation in a substance abuse or mental health outpatient treatment program;

d.Reporting on a regular basis to DCFS or any other designated person or agency; and

e.Any other condition the court deems an appropriate condition of supervision including but not limited to: employment, participation in an anger management program, and refraining from using alcohol or drugs.

3.The court may order the parent to participate in counseling services
or any other services for the child requiring parental participation. The parent shall cooperate with the court-ordered case plan and shall take

necessary steps to help implement the case plan. The parent shall be financially responsible for costs related to the court-ordered plan; however, this requirement shall not affect the eligibility of the parent or child for public assistance or other benefits to which the parent or

child may otherwise be entitled.

A motion for contempt may be made by a parent, child, juvenile court personnel, or by any public agency, organization or person having custody of the child under an At-Risk Youth court order. The court shall treat the parents and the child equally forthe purposes of applying contempt of court processes and penalties. The court may impose a fine of up to $l00.00 and confinement for up to 7 days in detention for a juvenile or the jail for the parent or guardian.

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