Removing Fines Gives Juvenile Offenders Another Chance
In recent years, we’ve seen the Washington legislature pass multiple bills aimed at alleviating often crippling debt for juvenile offenders. We’ve seen the unfortunate reality of a juvenile offender not only having to serve time or live with the restrictions of probation but also having to overcome thousands of dollars in debt once they’re free.
Three bills in particular have alleviated this issue. In 2022, the state passed HB 2050 and SB 5535 which repealed requirements that parents pay for the cost of their child’s support, treatment, and confinement when their child is sent to juvenile rehabilitation residential facilities. This alleviated family debt.
In 2023, the state passed HB 1169 which eliminated fees and fines related to juvenile court proceedings and made outstanding juvenile court debt uncollectible. In 2024, SB 5974 wiped out $43 million across 143,000 cases for outstanding juvenile court fines and fees. We believe each of these laws are part of a major milestone in allowing Washington juveniles to overcome the mistakes of their childhood and reenter society as productive adult citizens.
Understanding the Scope of Recent Legal Changes
Recidivism is a significant issue in our society. It’s easy to put repeat offenders in a bucket and blame them for their actions, but we must also look at the system in place that corners first-time offenders into poor circumstances. These bills push back against an aged system that fed juveniles back into the system for decades to come.
In the case of SB 5974, the legislature established that any judgment against a juvenile for legal financial obligations OTHER than restitution (fines, penalty assessments, attorneys’ fees, court costs, and other administrative fees) are not enforceable after July 1, 2023. Restitution is also now only collectible for a period of 10 years.
HB 1169 adds a new section to Washington law reading “No fine, administrative fee, cost, or surcharge may be imposed or collected by the court or any agent of the court against any juvenile or a juvenile’s parent or guardian, or other person having custody of the juvenile, in connection with any juvenile offender proceeding including, but not limited to, fees for diversion, DNA sampling, or victims’ penalty assessments.” The elimination of these charges is intended to avoid any notable “fiscal impact” on the long-term financial health of juveniles in Washington. This ensures that going forward, juveniles aren’t bogged down by a significant financial burden after serving time for adjudicated offenses.
Focusing on Washington Juvenile Criminal Defense
Eliminating the financial burden that the Washington juvenile court system can have on juveniles and their families is a major step forward. This opens up doors and avoids significant financial and credit impacts that hold juvenile offenders back, often for the rest of their lives.However, the urgent need to work with a prudent and experienced Washington juvenile criminal defense attorney remains. There are still legal ramifications of juvenile offenses that can significantly hinder future pathways for the accused. If you or your child is accused of a juvenile offense in Western Washington, contact Burke Brown Attorneys today to defend their future.
