SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6139

                    AS OF JANUARY 31, 1994

Brief Description:  Authorizing courts of limited jurisdiction to exercise jurisdiction over certain juvenile offenses.

SPONSORS: Senators Newhouse, Ludwig, Prince and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Lidia Mori (786‑7755)

Hearing Dates: February 1, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Except for some specific offenses, juvenile courts have exclusive jurisdiction over proceedings relating to minors.

In some counties, the superior courts are overloaded and prosecutors handle the more serious cases first.  There is concern that juveniles are not being held accountable when they commit offenses, especially more minor offenses. 

SUMMARY:

A court of limited jurisdiction may assume concurrent original jurisdiction over an offense that is a traffic infraction, a violation of compulsory school attendance provisions, or a misdemeanor when these offenses are allegedly committed by juveniles.  In addition, the offenses must be those which, if committed by an adult, would not be punishable by incarceration or the prosecuting attorney's disposition recommendation does not include confinement.  The court that intends to assume jurisdiction must have a computer system which is linked to the statewide criminal history information data system used by juvenile courts to track and record juvenile offenders' criminal history.  The court of limited jurisdiction must have an agreement with the county juvenile detention facility that the court may order juveniles into the detention facility for an offense.  Assumption of such jurisdiction by a court of limited jurisdiction does not constitute a decline or transfer of juvenile court jurisdiction. 

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested