Statement of Peter Francis and Jenny Van Ravenhorst on September 27, 1977 Concerning Implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (From Implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 - Hearings, P 202-206, 1978 - See NCJ-79016)

• NCJ Number: 79018
• Author(s): P Francis; J VanRavenhorst
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Washington State; Washington State Legislature
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Available on microfiche as NCJ-79016.

Annotation

Washington State legislation focusing on juvenile courts in general and status offenders in particular is discussed, with attention to the 1977 revision of the State's juvenile code.

Abstract

Washington's juvenile code revision (House Bill 371) deals primarily with children classified as dependent. The legislation prohibits the detention of any dependent child and eliminates juvenile court jurisdiction over truants, provides legal emancipation for youth, and requires that status offender referrals go to the State Department of Social and Health Services instead of the juvenile courts. Juvenile court jurisdiction over status offenders has not been completely eliminated. The juvenile courts have jurisdiction over only four types of 'dependent' children: those who have been abandoned; have no parent, guardian, or custodian; those who qualify for a diagnostic commitment for a maximum of 30 days because they have run away and are exhibiting behaviors that show a likelihood of degenerating into serious delinquent behavior; and children being considered for out-of-home placement. Under House Bill 371, juveniles who commit crimes will be sentenced by the juvenile court based upon the severity of the offense committed, rather than on the basis of determined need for rehabilitative services.