Juvenile Detention Intake Criteria

Youth under the age of 8 years cannot be found guilty of offenses under RCW 9A.04.050 and will not be detained.

For alleged new offenses

Screen and Release

Screen and Release was implemented to reduce the number of youth in detention.

Some youth are brought to detention for offenses that are eligible to be “screened and released.” A judge reads all the information about the arrest, even if it is after court operating hours (evenings or weekends). It is used from 8 am to 8 pm, 7 days a week. The judge decides to release the youth into their guardian’s custody or place them in detention.

Screen and Release occurs when either: 

1. The Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (DRAI) score indicates Screen & Release OR
2. The DRAI does not indicate Screen and Release, but the youth is presented on one of the following offenses:
   • Assault 2 or 3
   • Burglary 2
   • Driving while Under the Influence (DWI) – Juvenile 

      The youth must have a prior DWI conviction to meet the criteria (RCW 10.31.100(16)).

   • Escape 1, 2, 3 or Attempted
   • Eluding Pursuit of Police Vehicle
   • Explosive-Endangering Property
   • Explosive Unlawful Possession - Attempted
   • Failure to Register As Sex Offender (Felony)
   • Firearm Possession - Attempted
   • Harassment - Felony
   • Motor Vehicle - Theft
   • Residential Burglary
   • Possession of a Stolen Vehicle
   • Robbery 2
   • Taking of a Motor Vehicle 1 or Attempted
   • Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (VUSCA) Narcotics Delivery
   • VUSCA Narcotics Delivery - Attempted, Conspiracy, or With Intent to Deliver
   • VUSCA Narcotics Delivery - Meth
   • Violation of Uniform Firearms Act (VUFA) 2 - Attempted
   • Weapon Display
   • Weapon At School

Youth not eligible for Screen and Release who meet the following criteria are detained until a judge reviews their case:

1. Offenses listed in Addendum 1.
2. Any offense involving possession of a firearm.
3. Any assault on a school staff person, administrator, or teacher.

In cases involving Juvenile Domestic Violence

1. Any person under the age of 18 years presented for assaulting a family or household member as defined in RCW 10.99.020 (more in Addendum 2) is detained for judicial review or, if eligible, admitted into the Family Intervention and Restorative Services (FIRS) Center.
2. Youth 12 years or older who are presented on a domestic violence charge as defined in RCW 10.99.020 (more in Addendum 2) are detained for judicial review or screened for placement into the FIRS Center.

Warrants

Youth presented on the following active warrants will be detained for judicial review: 

1. Any warrant issued for an Addendum 1 offense 
2. Violation of Conditions of Release, Material Witness, or Probable Cause warrants.
3. Warrants issued for At-Risk Youth, Child in Need of Services (CHINS), Truancy, or Dependency cases.
4. Out of Jurisdiction, Parole, Federal Detainer or Municipal/District Court warrant.

Other Criteria

Youth who meet the following criteria will be detained for judicial review or transport:

1. Administrative Holds for court from Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) in transit, parole hold/revocation, or from other jurisdictions
   
   
2. When the identification of a youth is uncertain, not verifiable by a parent or guardian, and the youth cannot or will not give current information regarding name and age

Detain Override

A youth who does not meet any criteria above may be detained for judicial review if:

1. The youth is likely to interfere with administration of justice
• The youth has demonstrated a serious intent to intimidate witnesses or others involved with pending matter.
• There is reason to believe that the youth is likely to destroy evidence and the opportunity exists to do so.

2. The youth is a danger to themselves
• When there is reason to believe that a youth is a danger to self for mental health and/or substance abuse reasons, and does not fit other detention criteria, a mental health professional or recognized expert in the appropriate area is to be called immediately for an evaluation. The youth will be released to other resources as soon as possible, or when the condition is no longer present.
3. There is a fear of harm
• Upon a finding that members of the community have threatened the health of a youth taken into custody, at the youth’s request the youth may be detained pending further order of the court. 
• The youth’s behavior demonstrates imminent threat to other person(s) and/or the youth is involved in a volatile and escalating situation that is likely to result in physical harm to other person(s) or significant damage to property.
  
  

An override may not be considered solely on the youth’s likelihood for failure to appear. 

When an override to detain a youth who does not meet the Detention Intake Criteria is requested, specific circumstances must be cited that directly support the reason for the override.