H-1311              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1136

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State of Washington                              49th Legislature                              1985 Regular Session

By Representatives Valle, Hargrove, Fisch, R. King, Ebersole, Kremen, Scott, Bristow, Crane, Baugher, Rayburn and Todd

Read first time 2/8/85 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

AN ACT Relating to juveniles; and adding new sections to chapter 13.40 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     The legislature finds that plea agreements entered into between alleged juvenile offenders and prosecuting attorneys can destroy public confidence in the system of juvenile justice and may adversely impact public safety.  The purpose of sections 1 and 2 of this act is to regulate plea agreements in juvenile court.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     The elected prosecuting attorneys of Washington state shall jointly formulate guidelines and procedures which are designed to afford similarly situated alleged juvenile offenders an equal opportunity with respect to plea bargaining discussions and agreements. The prosecuting attorneys shall also formulate guidelines and procedures for charge selection when an alleged offender's alleged conduct would support a criminal charge, including guidelines pertaining to diversion of an accused to another agency or the use of civil remedies or other means as an alternative to criminal prosecution.  All guidelines shall be presented to the house of representatives and to the senate of the state of Washington not later than October 1, 1985, for review.  The guidelines and procedures shall be binding upon all prosecutors within the state as of that date.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     Sections 1 and 2 of this act are each added to chapter 13.40 RCW.