H-1886.1          _______________________________________________

 

                                  HOUSE BILL 2130

                  _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington              52nd Legislature             1991 Regular Session

 

By Representatives Wineberry, Appelwick, Phillips and Brekke.

 

Read first time February 27, 1991.  Referred to Committee on Judiciary.Providing for victim-offender mediation.


     AN ACT Relating to victim-offender mediation; amending RCW 7.69.020, 7.69.030, 9.94A.110, 9.94A.120, 9.94A.390, 13.40.150, and 13.40.190; adding a new section to chapter 9.94A RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 13.40 RCW.

 

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

 

     Sec. 1.  RCW 7.69.020 and 1985 c 443 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

     (1) "Crime" means an act punishable as a felony, gross misdemeanor, or misdemeanor under the laws of this state or equivalent federal or local law.

     (2) "Survivor" or "survivors" of a victim of crime means a spouse, child, parent, legal guardian, sibling, or grandparent.  If there is more than one survivor of a victim of crime, one survivor shall be designated by the prosecutor to represent all survivors for purposes of providing the notice to survivors required by this chapter.

     (3) "Victim" means a person against whom a crime has been committed or the representative of a person against whom a crime has been committed.  It includes an individual representative of a business, organization, governmental agency, or the state against whom a crime has been committed.

     (4) "Victim impact statement" means a statement submitted to the court by the victim or a survivor, individually or with the assistance of the prosecuting attorney if assistance is requested by the victim or survivor, which may include but is not limited to information assessing the financial, medical, social, and psychological impact of the offense upon the victim or survivors.

     (5) "Witness" means a person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution in a criminal action, or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to call or likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution, whether or not an action or proceeding has been commenced.

 

     Sec. 2.  RCW 7.69.030 and 1985 c 443 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

     There shall be a reasonable effort made to ensure that victims, survivors of victims, and witnesses of crimes have the following rights:

     (1) To be informed by local law enforcement agencies or the prosecuting attorney of the final disposition of the case in which the victim, survivor, or witness is involved;

     (2) To be notified by the party who issued the subpoena that a court proceeding to which they have been subpoenaed will not occur as scheduled, in order to save the person an unnecessary trip to court;

     (3) To receive protection from harm and threats of harm arising out of cooperation with law enforcement and prosecution efforts, and to be provided with information as to the level of protection available;

     (4) To be informed of the procedure to be followed to apply for and receive any witness fees to which they are entitled;

     (5) To be provided, whenever practical, a secure waiting area during court proceedings that does not require them to be in close proximity to defendants and families or friends of defendants;

     (6) To have any stolen or other personal property expeditiously returned by law enforcement agencies or the superior court when no longer needed as evidence.  When feasible, all such property, except weapons, currency, contraband, property subject to evidentiary analysis, and property of which ownership is disputed, shall be photographed and returned to the owner within ten days of being taken;

     (7) To be provided with appropriate employer intercession services to ensure that employers of victims, survivors of victims, and witnesses of crime will cooperate with the criminal justice process in order to minimize an employee's loss of pay and other benefits resulting from court appearance;

     (8) To access to immediate medical assistance and not to be detained for an unreasonable length of time by a law enforcement agency before having such assistance administered.  However, an employee of the law enforcement agency may, if necessary, accompany the person to a medical facility to question the person about the criminal incident if the questioning does not hinder the administration of medical assistance;

     (9) With respect to victims and survivors of victims, to be physically present in court during trial, or if subpoenaed to testify, to be scheduled as early as practical in the proceedings in order to be physically present during trial after testifying and not to be excluded solely because they have testified;

     (10) With respect to victims and survivors of victims, to be informed by the prosecuting attorney of the date, time, and place of the trial and of the sentencing hearing for felony convictions upon request by a victim or survivor;

     (11) To volunteer to participate in mediation with the offender in the presence of an independent, trained mediator consistent with section 3 of this act;

     (12) To submit a victim impact statement or report to the court, with the assistance of the prosecuting attorney if requested, and to submit to the court any restitution agreement entered into in connection with a mediation conducted pursuant to section 3 of this act, which in either case shall be included in all presentence reports and permanently included in the files and records accompanying the offender committed to the custody of a state agency or institution;

     (((12))) (13) With respect to victims and survivors of victims, to present a statement personally or by representation, at the sentencing hearing for felony convictions; and

     (((13))) (14) With respect to victims and survivors of victims, to entry of an order of restitution by the court in all felony cases, even when the offender is sentenced to confinement, unless extraordinary circumstances exist which make restitution inappropriate in the court's judgment.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  A new section is added to chapter 9.94A RCW to read as follows:

     (1) When an offender pleads guilty or is found guilty, the court may refer the case to a victim-offender mediation program or, if such a program is not available in the county, a dispute resolution center, except that no referral shall be made in the following circumstances:

     (a) The offense is a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030(29);

     (b) The offense is a violent offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030(33);

     (c) The offense involves acts of domestic violence as defined in RCW 26.50.010(1);

     (d) The offender has a history of domestic violence as defined in RCW 26.50.010(1), involving the victim or a member of the victim's family or household as defined in RCW 26.50.010(2); or

     (e) A meeting between the victim and offender would be clearly impractical or not feasible.

     (2) Neither the victim nor the offender shall be required to participate in mediation, but, if both are willing to participate, and, in the case of a victim under the age of eighteen, a parent or legal guardian of the victim is also willing to participate, the victim-offender mediation program or dispute resolution center shall provide an opportunity for the victim to:

     (a) Meet with the offender in a safe, controlled environment;

     (b) Give the offender, either orally or in writing, a summary of the financial, emotional, and physical effects of the offense on the victim and the victim's family; and

     (c) Negotiate a restitution agreement for the damages incurred by the victim as a result of the offense.

     (3) A negotiated restitution agreement may be submitted to the court for its consideration at the time of disposition.

 

     Sec. 4.  RCW 9.94A.110 and 1988 c 60 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

     Before imposing a sentence upon a defendant, the court shall conduct a sentencing hearing.  The sentencing hearing shall be held within forty court days following conviction.  Upon the motion of either party for good cause shown, or on its own motion, the court may extend the time period for conducting the sentencing hearing.  The court shall order the department to complete a presentence report before imposing a sentence upon a defendant who has been convicted of a felony sexual offense.  The department of corrections shall give priority to presentence investigations for sexual offenders.  The court shall consider the presentence reports and restitution agreement reached pursuant to section 3 of this act, if any, including any victim impact statement and criminal history, and allow arguments from the prosecutor, the defense counsel, the offender, the victim, the survivor of the victim, or a representative of the victim or survivor, and an investigative law enforcement officer as to the sentence to be imposed.  If the court is satisfied by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant has a criminal history, the court shall specify the convictions it has found to exist.  All of this information shall be part of the record.  Copies of all presentence reports presented to the sentencing court and all written findings of facts and conclusions of law as to sentencing entered by the court shall be sent to the department by the clerk of the court at the conclusion of the sentencing and shall accompany the offender if the offender is committed to the custody of the department.  Court clerks shall provide, without charge, certified copies of documents relating to criminal convictions requested by prosecuting attorneys.

    

 

     Sec. 5.  RCW 9.94A.120 and 1990 c 3 s 705 are each amended to read as follows:

     When a person is convicted of a felony, the court shall impose punishment as provided in this section.

     (1) Except as authorized in subsections (2), (5), and (7) of this section, the court shall impose a sentence within the sentence range for the offense.

     (2) The court may impose a sentence outside the standard sentence range for that offense if it finds, considering the purpose of this chapter, that there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.

     (3) Whenever a sentence outside the standard range is imposed, the court shall set forth the reasons for its decision in written findings of fact and conclusions of law.  A sentence outside the standard range shall be a determinate sentence.

     (4) An offender convicted of the crime of murder in the first degree shall be sentenced to a term of total confinement not less than twenty years.  An offender convicted of the crime of assault in the first degree where the offender used force or means likely to result in death or intended to kill the victim shall be sentenced to a term of total confinement not less than five years.  An offender convicted of the crime of rape in the first degree shall be sentenced to a term of total confinement not less than five years, and shall not be eligible for furlough, work release or other authorized leave of absence from the correctional facility during such minimum five-year term except for the purpose of commitment to an inpatient treatment facility.  The foregoing minimum terms of total confinement are mandatory and shall not be varied or modified as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

     (5) In sentencing a first-time offender the court may waive the imposition of a sentence within the sentence range and impose a sentence which may include up to ninety days of confinement in a facility operated or utilized under contract by the county and a requirement that the offender refrain from committing new offenses.  The sentence may also include up to two years of community supervision, which, in addition to crime-related prohibitions, may include requirements that the offender perform any one or more of the following:

     (a) Devote time to a specific employment or occupation;

     (b) Undergo available outpatient treatment for up to two years, or inpatient treatment not to exceed the standard range of confinement for that offense;

     (c) Pursue a prescribed, secular course of study or vocational training;

     (d) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer prior to any change in the offender's address or employment;

     (e) Report as directed to the court and a community corrections officer; or

     (f) Pay all court-ordered legal financial obligations as provided in RCW 9.94A.030 and/or perform community service work.

     (6) If a sentence range has not been established for the defendant's crime, the court shall impose a determinate sentence which may include not more than one year of confinement, community service work, a term of community supervision not to exceed one year, and/or other legal financial obligations.  The court may impose a sentence which provides more than one year of confinement if the court finds, considering the purpose of this chapter, that there are substantial and compelling reasons justifying an exceptional sentence.

     (7)(a)(i) When an offender is convicted of a sex offense other than a violation of RCW 9A.44.050 or a sex offense that is also a serious violent offense and has no prior convictions for a sex offense or any other felony sex offenses in this or any other state, the sentencing court, on its own motion or the motion of the state or the defendant, may order an examination to determine whether the defendant is amenable to treatment.

     The report of the examination shall include at a minimum the following:  The defendant's version of the facts and the official version of the facts, the defendant's offense history, an assessment of problems in addition to alleged deviant behaviors, the offender's social and employment situation, and other evaluation measures used.  The report shall set forth the sources of the evaluator's information.

     The examiner shall assess and report regarding the defendant's amenability to treatment and relative risk to the community.  A proposed treatment plan shall be provided and shall include, at a minimum:

     (A) Frequency and type of contact between offender and therapist;

     (B) Specific issues to be addressed in the treatment and description of planned treatment modalities;

     (C) Monitoring plans, including any requirements regarding living conditions, lifestyle requirements, and monitoring by family members and others;

     (D) Anticipated length of treatment; and

     (E) Recommended crime-related prohibitions.

     The court on its own motion may order, or on a motion by the state shall order, a second examination regarding the offender's amenability to treatment.  The evaluator shall be selected by the party making the motion.  The defendant shall pay the cost of any second examination ordered unless the court finds the defendant to be indigent in which case the state shall pay the cost.

     (ii) After receipt of the reports, the court shall consider whether the offender and the community will benefit from use of this special sexual offender sentencing alternative and consider the victim's opinion whether the offender should receive a treatment disposition under this subsection.  If the court determines that this special sex offender sentencing alternative is appropriate, the court shall then impose a sentence within the sentence range.  If this sentence is less than eight years of confinement, the court may suspend the execution of the sentence and impose the following conditions of suspension:

     (A) The court shall place the defendant on community supervision for the length of the suspended sentence or three years, whichever is greater; and

     (B) The court shall order treatment for any period up to three years in duration.  The court in its discretion shall order outpatient sex offender treatment or inpatient sex offender treatment, if available.  A community mental health center may not be used for such treatment unless it has an appropriate program designed for sex offender treatment.  The offender shall not change sex offender treatment providers or treatment conditions without first notifying the prosecutor, the community corrections officer, and the court, and shall not change providers without court approval after a hearing if the prosecutor or community corrections officer object to the change.  In addition, as conditions of the suspended sentence, the court may impose other sentence conditions including up to six months of confinement, not to exceed the sentence range of confinement for that offense, crime-related prohibitions, and requirements that the offender perform any one or more of the following:

     (I) Devote time to a specific employment or occupation;

     (II) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer prior to any change in the offender's address or employment;

     (III) Report as directed to the court and a community corrections officer;

     (IV) Pay all court-ordered legal financial obligations as provided in RCW 9.94A.030, perform community service work, or any combination thereof; or

     (V) Make recoupment to the victim for the cost of any counseling required as a result of the offender's crime.

     (iii) The sex offender therapist shall submit quarterly reports on the defendant's progress in treatment to the court and the parties.  The report shall reference the treatment plan and include at a minimum the following:  Dates of attendance, defendant's compliance with requirements, treatment activities, the defendant's relative progress in treatment, and any other material as specified by the court at sentencing.

     (iv) At the time of sentencing, the court shall set a treatment termination hearing for three months prior to the anticipated date for completion of treatment.  Prior to the treatment termination hearing, the treatment professional and community corrections officer shall submit written reports to the court and parties regarding the defendant's compliance with treatment and monitoring requirements, and recommendations regarding termination from treatment, including proposed community supervision conditions.  Either party may request and the court may order another evaluation regarding the advisability of termination from treatment.  The defendant shall pay the cost of any additional evaluation ordered unless the court finds the defendant to be indigent in which case the state shall pay the cost.  At the treatment termination hearing the court may:  (A) Modify conditions of community supervision, and either (B) terminate treatment, or (C) extend treatment for up to the remaining period of community supervision.

     (v) The court may revoke the suspended sentence at any time during the period of community supervision and order execution of the sentence if:  (A) The defendant violates the conditions of the suspended sentence, or (B) the court finds that the defendant is failing to make satisfactory progress in treatment.  All confinement time served during the period of community supervision shall be credited to the offender if the suspended sentence is revoked.

     (vi) After July 1, 1991, examinations and treatment ordered pursuant to this subsection shall only be conducted by sex offender treatment providers certified by the department of health pursuant to chapter 18.155 RCW.

     For purposes of this subsection, "victim" means any person who has sustained emotional, psychological, physical, or financial injury to person or property as a result of the crime charged.  "Victim" also means a parent or guardian of a victim who is a minor child unless the parent or guardian is the perpetrator of the offense.

     (b) When an offender is convicted of any felony sex offense committed before July 1, 1987, and is sentenced to a term of confinement of more than one year but less than six years, the sentencing court may, on its own motion or on the motion of the offender or the state, order the offender committed for up to thirty days to the custody of the secretary of social and health services for evaluation and report to the court on the offender's amenability to treatment at these facilities.  If the secretary of social and health services cannot begin the evaluation within thirty days of the court's order of commitment, the offender shall be transferred to the state for confinement pending an opportunity to be evaluated at the appropriate facility.  The court shall review the reports and may order that the term of confinement imposed be served in the sexual offender treatment program at the location determined by the secretary of social and health services or the secretary's designee, only if the report indicates that the offender is amenable to the treatment program provided at these facilities.  The offender shall be transferred to the state pending placement in the treatment program.  Any offender who has escaped from the treatment program shall be referred back to the sentencing court.

     If the offender does not comply with the conditions of the treatment program, the secretary of social and health services may refer the matter to the sentencing court.  The sentencing court shall commit the offender to the department of corrections to serve the balance of the term of confinement.

     If the offender successfully completes the treatment program before the expiration of the term of confinement, the court may convert the balance of confinement to community supervision and may place conditions on the offender including crime-related prohibitions and requirements that the offender perform any one or more of the following:

     (i) Devote time to a specific employment or occupation;

     (ii) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer prior to any change in the offender's address or employment;

     (iii) Report as directed to the court and a community corrections officer;

     (iv) Undergo available outpatient treatment.

     If the offender violates any of the terms of community supervision, the court may order the offender to serve out the balance of the community supervision term in confinement in the custody of the department of corrections.

     After June 30, 1993, this subsection (b) shall cease to have effect.

     (c) When an offender commits any felony sex offense on or after July 1, 1987, and is sentenced to a term of confinement of more than one year but less than six years, the sentencing court may, on its own motion or on the motion of the offender or the state, request the department of corrections to evaluate whether the offender is amenable to treatment and the department may place the offender in a treatment program within a correctional facility operated by the department.

     Except for an offender who has been convicted of a violation of RCW 9A.44.040 or 9A.44.050, if the offender completes the treatment program before the expiration of his term of confinement, the department of corrections may request the court to convert the balance of confinement to community supervision and to place conditions on the offender including crime-related prohibitions and requirements that the offender perform any one or more of the following:

     (i) Devote time to a specific employment or occupation;

     (ii) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the community corrections officer prior to any change in the offender's address or employment;

     (iii) Report as directed to the court and a community corrections officer;

     (iv) Undergo available outpatient treatment.

     If the offender violates any of the terms of his community supervision, the court may order the offender to serve out the balance of his community supervision term in confinement in the custody of the department of corrections.

     Nothing in (c) of this subsection shall confer eligibility for such programs for offenders convicted and sentenced for a sex offense committed prior to July 1, 1987.  This subsection (c) does not apply to any crime committed after July 1, 1990.

     (d) Offenders convicted and sentenced for a sex offense committed prior to July 1, 1987, may, subject to available funds, request an evaluation by the department of corrections to determine whether they are amenable to treatment.  If the offender is determined to be amenable to treatment, the offender may request placement in a treatment program within a correctional facility operated by the department.  Placement in such treatment program is subject to available funds.

     (8)(a) When a court sentences a person to a term of total confinement to the custody of the department of corrections for an offense categorized as a sex offense or a serious violent offense committed after July 1, 1988, but before July 1, 1990, assault in the second degree, any crime against a person where it is determined in accordance with RCW 9.94A.125 that the defendant or an accomplice was armed with a deadly weapon at the time of commission, or any felony offense under chapter 69.50 or 69.52 RCW, committed on or after July 1, 1988, the court shall in addition to the other terms of the sentence, sentence the offender to a one-year term of community placement beginning either upon completion of the term of confinement or at such time as the offender is transferred to community custody in lieu of earned early release in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2).  When the court sentences an offender under this subsection to the statutory maximum period of confinement then the community placement portion of the sentence shall consist entirely of such community custody to which the offender may become eligible, in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2).  Any period of community custody actually served shall be credited against the community placement portion of the sentence.

     (b) When a court sentences a person to a term of total confinement to the custody of the department of corrections for an offense categorized as a sex offense or serious violent offense committed on or after July 1, 1990, the court shall in addition to other terms of the sentence, sentence the offender to community placement for two years or up to the period of earned early release awarded pursuant to RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2), whichever is longer.  The community placement shall begin either upon completion of the term of confinement or at such time as the offender is transferred to community custody in lieu of earned early release in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2).  When the court sentences an offender under this subsection to the statutory maximum period of confinement then the community placement portion of the sentence shall consist entirely of the community custody to which the offender may become eligible, in accordance with RCW 9.94A.150 (1) and (2).  Any period of community custody actually served shall be credited against the community placement portion of the sentence.  Unless a condition is waived by the court, the terms of community placement for offenders sentenced pursuant to this section shall include the following conditions:

     (i) The offender shall report to and be available for contact with the assigned community corrections officer as directed;

     (ii) The offender shall work at department of corrections-approved education, employment, and/or community service;

     (iii) The offender shall not consume controlled substances except pursuant to lawfully issued prescriptions;

     (iv) An offender in community custody shall not unlawfully possess controlled substances; and

     (v) The offender shall pay supervision fees as determined by the department of corrections.

     (c) The court may also order any of the following special conditions:

     (i) The offender shall remain within, or outside of, a specified geographical boundary;

     (ii) The offender shall not have direct or indirect contact with the victim of the crime or a specified class of individuals;

     (iii) The offender shall participate in crime-related treatment or counseling services;

     (iv) The offender shall not consume alcohol;

     (v) The residence location and living arrangements of a sex offender shall be subject to the prior approval of the department of corrections; or

     (vi) The offender shall comply with any crime-related prohibitions.

     (d) Prior to transfer to, or during, community placement, any conditions of community placement may be removed or modified so as not to be more restrictive by the sentencing court, upon recommendation of the department of corrections.

     (9) If the court imposes a sentence requiring confinement of thirty days or less, the court may, in its discretion, specify that the sentence be served on consecutive or intermittent days.  A sentence requiring more than thirty days of confinement shall be served on consecutive days.  Local jail administrators may schedule court-ordered intermittent sentences as space permits.

     (10) If a sentence imposed includes payment of a legal financial obligation, the sentence shall specify the total amount of the legal financial obligation owed, and shall require the offender to pay a specified monthly sum toward that legal financial obligation.  Restitution to victims shall be paid prior to any other payments of monetary obligations.  Any legal financial obligation that is imposed by the court may be collected by the department, which shall deliver the amount paid to the county clerk for credit.  The offender's compliance with payment of legal financial obligations shall be supervised by the department.  All monetary payments ordered shall be paid no later than ten years after the last date of release from confinement pursuant to a felony conviction or the date the sentence was entered.  Independent of the department, the party or entity to whom the legal financial obligation is owed shall have the authority to utilize any other remedies available to the party or entity to collect the legal financial obligation.  Nothing in this section makes the department, the state, or any of its employees, agents, or other persons acting on their behalf liable under any circumstances for the payment of these legal financial obligations.  If an order includes restitution as one of the monetary assessments, the county clerk shall make disbursements to victims named in the order.

     (11) Except as provided under RCW 9.94A.140(1) and 9.94A.142(1), a court may not impose a sentence providing for a term of confinement or community supervision or community placement which exceeds the statutory maximum for the crime as provided in chapter 9A.20 RCW.

     (12) All offenders sentenced to terms involving community supervision, community service, community placement, or legal financial obligation shall be under the supervision of the secretary of the department of corrections or such person as the secretary may designate and shall follow explicitly the instructions of the secretary including reporting as directed to a community corrections officer, remaining within prescribed geographical boundaries, and notifying the community corrections officer of any change in the offender's address or employment.

     (13) The sentencing court shall give the offender credit for all confinement time served before the sentencing if that confinement was solely in regard to the offense for which the offender is being sentenced.

     (14) A departure from the standards in RCW 9.94A.400 (1) and (2) governing whether sentences are to be served consecutively or concurrently is an exceptional sentence subject to the limitations in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, and may be appealed by the defendant or the state as set forth in RCW 9.94A.210 (2) through (6).

     (15) The court shall order restitution whenever the offender is convicted of a felony that results in injury to any person or damage to or loss of property, whether the offender is sentenced to confinement or placed under community supervision, unless extraordinary circumstances exist that make restitution inappropriate in the court's judgment.  The court shall set forth the extraordinary circumstances in the record if it does not order restitution.  In ordering restitution, the court shall consider any restitution agreement reached under section 3 of this act and any victim impact statement.

     (16) As a part of any sentence, the court may impose and enforce an order that relates directly to the circumstances of the crime for which the offender has been convicted, prohibiting the offender from having any contact with other specified individuals or a specific class of individuals for a period not to exceed the maximum allowable sentence for the crime, regardless of the expiration of the offender's term of community supervision or community placement.

     (17) In any sentence of partial confinement, the court may require the defendant to serve the partial confinement in work release or in a program of home detention.

     (18) All court-ordered legal financial obligations collected by the department and remitted to the county clerk shall be credited and paid where restitution is ordered.  Restitution shall be paid prior to any other payments of monetary obligations.

 

     Sec. 6.  RCW 9.94A.390 and 1990 c 3 s 603 are each amended to read as follows:

     If the sentencing court finds that an exceptional sentence outside the standard range should be imposed in accordance with RCW 9.94A.120(2), the sentence is subject to review only as provided for in RCW 9.94A.210(4).

     The following are illustrative factors which the court may consider in the exercise of its discretion to impose an exceptional sentence.  The following are illustrative only and are not intended to be exclusive reasons for exceptional sentences.

     (1) Mitigating Circumstances

     (a) To a significant degree, the victim was an initiator, willing participant, aggressor, or provoker of the incident.

     (b) Before detection, the defendant compensated, or made a good faith effort to compensate, the victim of the criminal conduct for any damage or injury sustained.

     (c) Since his or her detection, the respondent has met the victim and negotiated a restitution agreement pursuant to section 3 of this act.  This mitigating factor is insufficient by itself to justify a sentence less severe than one within the standard range.

     (d) The defendant committed the crime under duress, coercion, threat, or compulsion insufficient to constitute a complete defense but which significantly affected his or her conduct.

     (((d))) (e) The defendant, with no apparent predisposition to do so, was induced by others to participate in the crime.

     (((e))) (f) The defendant's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of his conduct or to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law, was significantly impaired (voluntary use of drugs or alcohol is excluded).

     (((f))) (g) The offense was principally accomplished by another person and the defendant manifested extreme caution or sincere concern for the safety or well-being of the victim.

     (((g))) (h) The operation of the multiple offense policy of RCW 9.94A.400 results in a presumptive sentence that is clearly excessive in light of the purpose of this chapter, as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010.

     (((h))) (i) The defendant or the defendant's children suffered a continuing pattern of physical or sexual abuse by the victim of the offense and the offense is a response to that abuse.

     (2) Aggravating Circumstances

     (a) The defendant's conduct during the commission of the current offense manifested deliberate cruelty to the victim.

     (b) The defendant knew or should have known that the victim of the current offense was particularly vulnerable or incapable of resistance due to extreme youth, advanced age, disability, or ill health.

     (c) The current offense was a major economic offense or series of offenses, so identified by a consideration of any of the following factors:

     (i) The current offense involved multiple victims or multiple incidents per victim;

     (ii) The current offense involved attempted or actual monetary loss substantially greater than typical for the offense;

     (iii) The current offense involved a high degree of sophistication or planning or occurred over a lengthy period of time;

     (iv) The defendant used his or her position of trust, confidence, or fiduciary responsibility to facilitate the commission of the current offense.

     (d) The current offense was a major violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act, chapter 69.50 RCW (VUCSA), related to trafficking in controlled substances, which was more onerous than the typical offense of its statutory definition:  The presence of ANY of the following may identify a current offense as a major VUCSA:

     (i) The current offense involved at least three separate transactions in which controlled substances were sold, transferred, or possessed with intent to do so; or

     (ii) The current offense involved an attempted or actual sale or transfer of controlled substances in quantities substantially larger than for personal use; or

     (iii) The current offense involved the manufacture of controlled substances for use by other parties; or

     (iv) The circumstances of the current offense reveal the offender to have occupied a high position in the drug distribution hierarchy; or

     (v) The current offense involved a high degree of sophistication or planning or occurred over a lengthy period of time or involved a broad geographic area of disbursement; or

     (vi) The offender used his or her position or status to facilitate the commission of the current offense, including positions of trust, confidence or fiduciary responsibility (e.g., pharmacist, physician, or other medical professional); or

     (e) The current offense included a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to RCW 9.94A.127;

     (f) The offense was part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse of the same victim under the age of eighteen years manifested by multiple incidents over a prolonged period of time; or

     (g) The operation of the multiple offense policy of RCW 9.94A.400 results in a presumptive sentence that is clearly too lenient in light of the purpose of this chapter, as expressed in RCW 9.94A.010.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7.  A new section is added to chapter 13.40 RCW to read as follows:

     When a probation counselor receives a request for a predisposition study, he or she shall refer the case to a victim-offender mediation program or, if such a program is not available in the county, a dispute resolution center.  However, such a referral shall be made only if the current offense is one involving the property of a victim, and referral shall not be made:  (1) If the offender is a serious offender as defined in RCW 13.40.020; (2) if the current offense would, if committed by an adult, be a sex offense or a violent offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030; or (3) if a meeting between victim and offender would be clearly impractical or not feasible.  Neither the victim nor the offender shall be required to participate in the program but, if both are willing to participate, and, in the case of a victim under the age of eighteen, a parent or legal guardian of the victim is also willing to participate, the victim-offender mediation program or dispute resolution center shall provide an opportunity for the victim to:

     (a) Meet with the offender in a safe, controlled environment;

     (b) Give the offender, either orally or in writing, a summary of the financial, emotional, and physical effects of the offense on the victim and the victim's family; and

     (c) Negotiate a restitution agreement for the damages incurred by the victim as a result of the offense.  The agreement may be submitted to the court for its consideration at the time of disposition.

 

     Sec. 8.  RCW 13.40.150 and 1990 c 3 s 605 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) In disposition hearings all relevant and material evidence, including oral and written reports, may be received by the court and may be relied upon to the extent of its probative value, even though such evidence may not be admissible in a hearing on the information.  The youth or the youth's counsel and the prosecuting attorney shall be afforded an opportunity to examine and controvert written reports so received and to cross-examine individuals making reports when such individuals are reasonably available, but sources of confidential information need not be disclosed.  The prosecutor and counsel for the juvenile may submit recommendations for disposition.

     (2) For purposes of disposition:

     (a) Violations which are current offenses count as misdemeanors;

     (b) Violations may not count as part of the offender's criminal history;

     (c) In no event may a disposition for a violation include confinement.

     (3) Before entering a dispositional order as to a respondent found to have committed an offense, the court shall hold a disposition hearing, at which the court shall:

     (a) Consider the facts supporting the allegations of criminal conduct by the respondent;

     (b) Consider information and arguments offered by parties and their counsel;

     (c) Consider any predisposition reports;

     (d) Afford the respondent and the respondent's parent, guardian, or custodian an opportunity to speak in the respondent's behalf;

     (e) Allow the victim or a representative of the victim and an investigative law enforcement officer to speak;

     (f) Consider any restitution agreement reached pursuant to section 7 of this act;

     (g) Determine the amount of restitution owing to the victim, if any;

     (((g))) (h) Determine whether the respondent is a serious offender, a middle offender, or a minor or first offender;

     (((h))) (i) Consider whether or not any of the following mitigating factors exist:

     (i) The respondent's conduct neither caused nor threatened serious bodily injury or the respondent did not contemplate that his or her conduct would cause or threaten serious bodily injury;

     (ii) The respondent acted under strong and immediate provocation;

     (iii) The respondent was suffering from a mental or physical condition that significantly reduced his or her culpability for the offense though failing to establish a defense;

     (iv) Prior to his or her detection, the respondent compensated or made a good faith attempt to compensate the victim for the injury or loss sustained; ((and))

     (v) Since his or her detection, the respondent has met the victim and negotiated a restitution agreement pursuant to section 7 of this act.  This mitigating factor is insufficient by itself to justify a sentence less severe than one within the standard range; and

     (vi) There has been at least one year between the respondent's current offense and any prior criminal offense;

     (((i))) (j) Consider whether or not any of the following aggravating factors exist:

     (i) In the commission of the offense, or in flight therefrom, the respondent inflicted or attempted to inflict serious bodily injury to another;

     (ii) The offense was committed in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner;

     (iii) The victim or victims were particularly vulnerable;

     (iv) The respondent has a recent criminal history or has failed to comply with conditions of a recent dispositional order or diversion agreement;

     (v) The current offense included a finding of sexual motivation pursuant to RCW 9.94A.127;

     (vi) The respondent was the leader of a criminal enterprise involving several persons; and

      (vii) There are other complaints which have resulted in diversion or a finding or plea of guilty but which are not included as criminal history.

     (4) The following factors may not be considered in determining the punishment to be imposed:

     (a) The sex of the respondent;

     (b) The race or color of the respondent or the respondent's family;

     (c) The creed or religion of the respondent or the respondent's family;

     (d) The economic or social class of the respondent or the respondent's family; and

     (e) Factors indicating that the respondent may be or is a dependent child within the meaning of this chapter.

     (5) A court may not commit a juvenile to a state institution solely because of the lack of facilities, including treatment facilities, existing in the community.

 

     Sec. 9.  RCW 13.40.190 and 1987 c 281 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

     (1) In its dispositional order, the court shall require the respondent to make restitution to any persons who have suffered loss or damage as a result of the offense committed by the respondent.  In addition, restitution may be ordered for loss or damage if the offender pleads guilty to a lesser offense or fewer offenses and agrees with the prosecutor's recommendation that the offender be required to pay restitution to a victim of an offense or offenses which, pursuant to a plea agreement, are not prosecuted.  The payment of restitution shall be in addition to any punishment which is imposed pursuant to the other provisions of this chapter.  The court may determine the amount, terms, and conditions of the restitution.  The court shall consider any restitution agreement reached pursuant to section 7 of this act.  Restitution may include the costs of counseling reasonably related to the offense.  If the respondent participated in the crime with another person or other persons, all such participants shall be jointly and severally responsible for the payment of restitution.  The court may not require the respondent to pay full or partial restitution if the respondent reasonably satisfies the court that he or she does not have the means to make full or partial restitution and could not reasonably acquire the means to pay such restitution.  In cases where an offender has been committed to the department for a period of confinement exceeding fifteen weeks, restitution may be waived.

     (2) If an order includes restitution as one of the monetary assessments, the county clerk shall make disbursements to victims named in the order.  The restitution to victims named in the order shall be paid prior to any payment for other penalties or monetary assessments.

     (3) A respondent under obligation to pay restitution may petition the court for modification of the restitution order.