Juvenile Crime in Washington State: Understanding the Statistics
At Burke Brown Attorneys, PLLC, we have over 30 years of experience defending clients of all ages against serious accusations in Seattle’s high-volume urban courts and we’ve noticed some troubling trends, particularly with respect to juveniles charged with criminal offenses. Recent statistics released by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs reveal that while overall crime rates may be on the decline, certain offenses, such as property crimes and violent offenses, show a distinct upward trend among young offenders.
This increase highlights the urgent need for effective intervention strategies and dedicated legal representation for young people facing the justice system. While the juvenile system is intended to rehabilitate, when young people don’t work with an attorney who knows how to advocate effectively to gain outcomes that teach rather than punish, they can become mired in a downward cycle of repeat offenses.
We want people to be aware of the trends in juvenile crime and how the right legal intervention can protect the future of our young people.
Key Juvenile Crime Statistical Trends
Law enforcement agencies throughout the state of Washington continuously submit crime data to the Washington State Uniform Crime Reporting Program, and each year, the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs compiles a report based on the data from the most recent reporting period. The most recent report includes data collected up through March of 2024 although it is referred to as statistics for 2023.
While the report covers offenses committed by individuals of all ages, it is the statistics on juvenile offenses that are most disturbing.
Increase in Juvenile Involvement
Of all those arrested for property crimes–by far the most common crimes in the state–the percentage of arrestees who were juveniles increased by over 40% over the course of the last year. The statistics are particularly noticeable with respect to motor vehicle theft. While last year’s report showed that 8.3% of those arrested for theft of cars and other vehicles were juveniles, the current report shows that over 20% of arrests for these offenses involved juveniles. Motor vehicle thefts are particularly concerning because they are often “keystone” crimes that can lead to the commission of other crimes such as burglaries.
Violent Crimes
In most categories, the number of juvenile arrests for violent crimes increased over the past year. For instance, the current report shows 2,289 arrests for simple assault, up from 1,981 the prior year, and juvenile arrests for aggravated assault increased from 430 to 508, an increase of over 15%.
Regional Variations
While the report consolidates information statewide, it also includes regional breakdowns from the different reporting agencies revealing regional trends. In King County, for example, reports from the Renton Police Department showed that the number of juvenile arrests for serious offenses nearly doubled in the past year. The Mayor of the City of Renton admitted that juvenile assaults with firearms increased by 114% and motor vehicle thefts by juveniles jumped by a staggering 512%.
Overall Juvenile Arrests
During the period covered in the most recent report, which is labeled “Crime in Washington 2023,” 5.4% of all arrests in the state involved juveniles. The rate for the previous year had been 4.6%, so the proportion of arrests involving juveniles increased by 17% in that one year.
Offense-Specific Statistics
While the full details can be found in the 573-page report, here are some sample statistics regarding arrests for specific types of offenses:
- 7.6% of aggravated assault arrestees were juveniles
- 11.2% of Rape arrestees were juveniles
- 20.4% of Motor Vehicle Theft arrestees were juveniles
- 12.3% of arson arrestees were juveniles
Alcohol and other substances played a key role in juvenile arrest situations. More than 34% of liquor law violations and 27% of all drunkenness violations involved juveniles, and 160 juveniles were arrested for DUI.
The Juvenile Justice System in Washington State: a Brief Overview
Washington State has a juvenile justice system designed to rehabilitate young offenders while holding them accountable for their actions. However, the system is not lenient, and prosecutors and courts under pressure to protect public safety often need to be persuaded that the solution in a particular case should be geared toward instruction rather than incarceration.
Key Stages in the Juvenile Justice Process
An attorney can help protect the rights of a juvenile and provide advice to families at all stages of the justice process. In most cases, the process includes four phases:
- Arrest and detention
- Intake and assessment
- Adjudication hearing
- Disposition and sentencing options
Prompt intervention from an attorney who understands the process and the options the court has available can often lead to outcomes that steer young people toward a better future.
Burke Brown Attorneys, PLLC Works to Keep Your Child from Becoming a Negative Statistic
Parents are often shocked and horrified when their child is arrested or investigated by the police, but the encounter provides an opportunity to lead to positive growth. Juvenile courts have the option to provide young people with experiences that show them the problems with the choices they’ve made and allow them to atone and move forward.At Burke Brown Attorneys, PLLC, we are deeply dedicated to protecting the future of young people who have been accused of any type of wrongdoing, and we know how to effectively guide prosecutors and judges to embrace consequences that lead to rehabilitation. If your child is facing legal challenges, we invite you to schedule a free consultation to learn how we can use our decades of experience with juvenile law to protect your child’s rights and your family’s future. Just call 206-933-2414, email us at office@burkebrown.com, or contact us through our website to set up your confidential, complimentary consultation.
