H-1037.1  _______________________________________________

 

                          HOUSE BILL 1296

          _______________________________________________

 

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

 

By Representatives DeBolt, Pennington, Ballasiotes, Robertson, Schoesler, Carrell, Mielke, Boldt, McMorris, Mulliken, Clements, Talcott, Parlette, Benson, Crouse, Backlund, Costa, Sullivan, Sump, Sheldon, Cooke, Morris, Thompson, Conway and D. Schmidt

 

Read first time 01/21/97.  Referred to Committee on Criminal Justice & Corrections.

 

Committing juvenile persistent offenders to the department of social and health services for confinement until the offender's twenty-first birthday.



    AN ACT Relating to juvenile persistent offenders; amending RCW 13.40.0357, 13.40.150, 13.40.160, 13.40.320, and 13.40.077; reenacting and amending RCW 13.40.020; and prescribing penalties.

 

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

 

    Sec. 1.  RCW 13.40.020 and 1995 c 395 s 2 and 1995 c 134 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

    For the purposes of this chapter:

    (1) "Serious offender" means a person fifteen years of age or older who is not a persistent offender and who has committed an offense which if committed by an adult would be:

    (a) A class A felony, or an attempt to commit a class A felony;

    (b) Manslaughter in the first degree; or

    (c) Assault in the second degree, extortion in the first degree, child molestation in the second degree, kidnapping in the second degree, robbery in the second degree, residential burglary, or burglary in the second degree, where such offenses include the infliction of bodily harm upon another or where during the commission of or immediate withdrawal from such an offense the perpetrator is armed with a deadly weapon;

    (2) "Community service" means compulsory service, without compensation, performed for the benefit of the community by the offender as punishment for committing an offense.  Community service may be performed through public or private organizations or through work crews;

    (3) "Community supervision" means an order of disposition by the court of an adjudicated youth not committed to the department or an order granting a deferred adjudication pursuant to RCW 13.40.125.  A community supervision order for a single offense may be for a period of up to two years for a sex offense as defined by RCW 9.94A.030 and up to one year for other offenses.  As a mandatory condition of any term of community supervision, the court shall order the juvenile to refrain from committing new offenses.  As a mandatory condition of community supervision, the court shall order the juvenile to comply with the mandatory school attendance provisions of chapter 28A.225 RCW and to inform the school of the existence of this requirement.  Community supervision is an individualized program comprised of one or more of the following:

    (a) Community-based sanctions;

    (b) Community-based rehabilitation;

    (c) Monitoring and reporting requirements;

    (d) Posting of a probation bond imposed pursuant to RCW 13.40.0357;

    (4) Community-based sanctions may include one or more of the following:

    (a) A fine, not to exceed one hundred dollars;

    (b) Community service not to exceed one hundred fifty hours of service;

    (5) "Community-based rehabilitation" means one or more of the following:  Attendance of information classes; counseling, outpatient substance abuse treatment programs, outpatient mental health programs, anger management classes, education or outpatient treatment programs to prevent animal cruelty, or other services; or attendance at school or other educational programs appropriate for the juvenile as determined by the school district.  Placement in community-based rehabilitation programs is subject to available funds;

    (6) "Monitoring and reporting requirements" means one or more of the following:  Curfews; requirements to remain at home, school, work, or court-ordered treatment programs during specified hours; restrictions from leaving or entering specified geographical areas; requirements to report to the probation officer as directed and to remain under the probation officer's supervision; and other conditions or limitations as the court may require which may not include confinement;

    (7) "Confinement" means physical custody by the department of social and health services in a facility operated by or pursuant to a contract with the state, or physical custody in a detention facility operated by or pursuant to a contract with any county.  The county may operate or contract with vendors to operate county detention facilities.  The department may operate or contract to operate detention facilities for juveniles committed to the department.  Pretrial confinement or confinement of less than thirty-one days imposed as part of a disposition or modification order may be served consecutively or intermittently, in the discretion of the court;

    (8) "Court", when used without further qualification, means the juvenile court judge(s) or commissioner(s);

    (9) "Criminal history" includes all criminal complaints against the respondent for which, prior to the commission of a current offense:

    (a) The allegations were found correct by a court.  If a respondent is convicted of two or more charges arising out of the same course of conduct, only the highest charge from among these shall count as an offense for the purposes of this chapter; or

    (b) The criminal complaint was diverted by a prosecutor pursuant to the provisions of this chapter on agreement of the respondent and after an advisement to the respondent that the criminal complaint would be considered as part of the respondent's criminal history.  A successfully completed deferred adjudication shall not be considered part of the respondent's criminal history;

    (10) "Department" means the department of social and health services;

    (11) "Detention facility" means a county facility, paid for by the county, for the physical confinement of a juvenile alleged to have committed an offense or an adjudicated offender subject to a disposition or modification order.  "Detention facility" includes county group homes, inpatient substance abuse programs, juvenile basic training camps, and electronic monitoring;

    (12) "Diversion unit" means any probation counselor who enters into a diversion agreement with an alleged youthful offender, or any other person, community accountability board, or other entity except a law enforcement official or entity, with whom the juvenile court administrator has contracted to arrange and supervise such agreements pursuant to RCW 13.40.080, or any person, community accountability board, or other entity specially funded by the legislature to arrange and supervise diversion agreements in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.  For purposes of this subsection, "community accountability board" means a board comprised of members of the local community in which the juvenile offender resides.  The superior court shall appoint the members.  The boards shall consist of at least three and not more than seven members.  If possible, the board should include a variety of representatives from the community, such as a law enforcement officer, teacher or school administrator, high school student, parent, and business owner, and should represent the cultural diversity of the local community;

    (13) "Institution" means a juvenile facility established pursuant to chapters 72.05 and 72.16 through 72.20 RCW;

    (14) "Juvenile," "youth," and "child" mean any individual who is under the chronological age of eighteen years and who has not been previously transferred to adult court pursuant to RCW 13.40.110 or who is otherwise under adult court jurisdiction;

    (15) "Juvenile offender" means any juvenile who has been found by the juvenile court to have committed an offense, including a person eighteen years of age or older over whom jurisdiction has been extended under RCW 13.40.300;

    (16) "Manifest injustice" means a disposition that would either impose an excessive penalty on the juvenile or would impose a serious, and clear danger to society in light of the purposes of this chapter;

    (17) "Middle offender" means a person who has committed an offense and who is neither a minor or first offender ((nor)), a serious offender, nor a persistent offender;

    (18) "Minor or first offender" means a person whose current offense(s) and criminal history fall entirely within one of the following categories:

    (a) Four misdemeanors;

    (b) Two misdemeanors and one gross misdemeanor;

    (c) One misdemeanor and two gross misdemeanors; and

    (d) Three gross misdemeanors.

    For purposes of this definition, current violations shall be counted as misdemeanors;

    (19) "Offense" means an act designated a violation or a crime if committed by an adult under the law of this state, under any ordinance of any city or county of this state, under any federal law, or under the law of another state if the act occurred in that state;

    (20) "Persistent offender" means a person who has committed three or more offenses which, if committed by an adult, would be the equivalent of or greater than one felony and two gross misdemeanors.

    (21) "Respondent" means a juvenile who is alleged or proven to have committed an offense;

    (((21))) (22) "Restitution" means financial reimbursement by the offender to the victim, and shall be limited to easily ascertainable damages for injury to or loss of property, actual expenses incurred for medical treatment for physical injury to persons, lost wages resulting from physical injury, and costs of the victim's counseling reasonably related to the offense if the offense is a sex offense.  Restitution shall not include reimbursement for damages for mental anguish, pain and suffering, or other intangible losses.  Nothing in this chapter shall limit or replace civil remedies or defenses available to the victim or offender;

    (((22))) (23) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services.  "Assistant secretary" means the assistant secretary for juvenile rehabilitation for the department;

    (((23))) (24) "Services" mean services which provide alternatives to incarceration for those juveniles who have pleaded or been adjudicated guilty of an offense or have signed a diversion agreement pursuant to this chapter;

    (((24))) (25) "Sex offense" means an offense defined as a sex offense in RCW 9.94A.030;

    (((25))) (26) "Sexual motivation" means that one of the purposes for which the respondent committed the offense was for the purpose of his or her sexual gratification;

    (((26))) (27) "Foster care" means temporary physical care in a foster family home or group care facility as defined in RCW 74.15.020 and licensed by the department, or other legally authorized care;

    (((27))) (28) "Violation" means an act or omission, which if committed by an adult, must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, and is punishable by sanctions which do not include incarceration;

    (((28))) (29) "Violent offense" means a violent offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030;

    (((29))) (30) "Probation bond" means a bond, posted with sufficient security by a surety justified and approved by the court, to secure the offender's appearance at required court proceedings and compliance with court-ordered community supervision or conditions of release ordered pursuant to RCW 13.40.040 or 13.40.050.  It also means a deposit of cash or posting of other collateral in lieu of a bond if approved by the court;

    (((30))) (31) "Surety" means an entity licensed under state insurance laws or by the state department of licensing, to write corporate, property, or probation bonds within the state, and justified and approved by the superior court of the county having jurisdiction of the case.

 

    Sec. 2.  RCW 13.40.0357 and 1996 c 205 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

 

                            SCHEDULE A

                 DESCRIPTION AND OFFENSE CATEGORY

 

juvenile             juvenile disposition

disposition         category for attempt,

offense             bailjump, conspiracy,

category description (rcw citation) or solicitation

........................................

 

                      Arson and Malicious Mischief

                A     Arson 1 (9A.48.020)     B+

                B     Arson 2 (9A.48.030)     C

                C     Reckless Burning 1 (9A.48.040)     D

                D     Reckless Burning 2 (9A.48.050)     E

                B     Malicious Mischief 1 (9A.48.070)     C

                C     Malicious Mischief 2 (9A.48.080)     D

                D     Malicious Mischief 3 (<$50 is

                      E class) (9A.48.090)    E

                E     Tampering with Fire Alarm

                      Apparatus (9.40.100)    E

                A     Possession of Incendiary Device

                      (9.40.120)  B+

 

                      Assault and Other Crimes

                      Involving Physical Harm

                A     Assault 1 (9A.36.011)   B+

                B+    Assault 2 (9A.36.021)   C+

                C+    Assault 3 (9A.36.031)   D+

                D+    Assault 4 (9A.36.041)   E

                D+    Reckless Endangerment

                      (9A.36.050) E

                C+    Promoting Suicide Attempt

                      (9A.36.060) D+

                D+    Coercion (9A.36.070)    E

                C+    Custodial Assault (9A.36.100)                D+

 

                      Burglary and Trespass

                B+    Burglary 1 (9A.52.020)  C+

                B     Burglary 2 (9A.52.030)  C

                D     Burglary Tools (Possession of)

                      (9A.52.060) E

                D     Criminal Trespass 1 (9A.52.070)     E

                E     Criminal Trespass 2 (9A.52.080)     E

                D     Vehicle Prowling (9A.52.100)                E

 

                      Drugs

                E     Possession/Consumption of Alcohol

                      (66.44.270) E

                C     Illegally Obtaining Legend Drug

                      (69.41.020) D

                C+    Sale, Delivery, Possession of Legend

                      Drug with Intent to Sell

                      (69.41.030) D+

                E     Possession of Legend Drug

                      (69.41.030) E

                B+    Violation of Uniform Controlled

                      Substances Act - Narcotic or

                      Methamphetamine Sale

                      (69.50.401(a)(1)(i) or (ii))                B+

                C     Violation of Uniform Controlled

                      Substances Act - Nonnarcotic Sale

                      (69.50.401(a)(1)(iii))  C

                E     Possession of Marihuana <40 grams

                      (69.50.401(e))    E

                C     Fraudulently Obtaining Controlled

                      Substance (69.50.403)   C

                C+    Sale of Controlled Substance

                      for Profit (69.50.410)  C+

                E     Unlawful Inhalation (9.47A.020)     E

                B     Violation of Uniform Controlled

                      Substances Act - Narcotic or

                      Methamphetamine

                      Counterfeit Substances

                      (69.50.401(b)(1)(i) or (ii))                B

                C     Violation of Uniform Controlled

                      Substances Act - Nonnarcotic

                      Counterfeit Substances

                      (69.50.401(b)(1) (iii), (iv),

                      (v))  C

                C     Violation of Uniform Controlled

                      Substances Act - Possession of a

                      Controlled Substance

                      (69.50.401(d))    C

                C     Violation of Uniform Controlled

                      Substances Act - Possession of a

                      Controlled Substance

                      (69.50.401(c))    C

 

                      Firearms and Weapons

                E     Carrying Loaded Pistol Without

                      Permit (9.41.050) E

                C     Possession of Firearms by

                      Minor (<18) (9.41.040(1) (b)

                       (((iv))) (iii))  C

                D+    Possession of Dangerous Weapon

                      (9.41.250)  E

                D     Intimidating Another Person by use

                      of Weapon (9.41.270)    E

 

                      Homicide

                A+    Murder 1 (9A.32.030)    A

                A+    Murder 2 (9A.32.050)    B+

                B+    Manslaughter 1 (9A.32.060)                C+

                C+    Manslaughter 2 (9A.32.070)                D+

                B+    Vehicular Homicide (46.61.520)     C+

 

                      Kidnapping

                A     Kidnap 1 (9A.40.020)    B+

                B+    Kidnap 2 (9A.40.030)    C+

                C+    Unlawful Imprisonment

                      (9A.40.040) D+

 

                      Obstructing Governmental Operation

                E     Obstructing a

                      Law Enforcement Officer

                      (9A.76.020) E

                E     Resisting Arrest (9A.76.040)                E

                B     Introducing Contraband 1

                      (9A.76.140) C

                C     Introducing Contraband 2

                      (9A.76.150) D

                E     Introducing Contraband 3

                      (9A.76.160) E

                B+    Intimidating a Public Servant

                      (9A.76.180) C+

                B+    Intimidating a Witness

                      (9A.72.110) C+

 

                      Public Disturbance

                C+    Riot with Weapon (9A.84.010)                D+

                D+    Riot Without Weapon

                      (9A.84.010) E

                E     Failure to Disperse (9A.84.020)     E

                E     Disorderly Conduct (9A.84.030)     E

 

                      Sex Crimes

                A     Rape 1 (9A.44.040)      B+

                A-    Rape 2 (9A.44.050)      B+

                C+    Rape 3 (9A.44.060)      D+

                A-    Rape of a Child 1 (9A.44.073)                B+

                B     Rape of a Child 2 (9A.44.076)                C+

                B     Incest 1 (9A.64.020(1)) C

                C     Incest 2 (9A.64.020(2)) D

                D+    Indecent Exposure

                      (Victim <14) (9A.88.010)                E

                E     Indecent Exposure

                      (Victim 14 or over) (9A.88.010)     E

                B+    Promoting Prostitution 1

                      (9A.88.070) C+

                C+    Promoting Prostitution 2

                      (9A.88.080) D+

                E     O & A (Prostitution) (9A.88.030)     E

                B+    Indecent Liberties (9A.44.100)     C+

                B+    Child Molestation 1 (9A.44.083)     C+

                C+    Child Molestation 2 (9A.44.086)     C

 

                      Theft, Robbery, Extortion, and Forgery

                B     Theft 1 (9A.56.030)     C

                C     Theft 2 (9A.56.040)     D

                D     Theft 3 (9A.56.050)     E

                B     Theft of Livestock (9A.56.080)     C

                C     Forgery (9A.60.020)     D

                A     Robbery 1 (9A.56.200)   B+

                B+    Robbery 2 (9A.56.210)   C+

                B+    Extortion 1 (9A.56.120) C+

                C+    Extortion 2 (9A.56.130) D+

                B     Possession of Stolen Property 1

                      (9A.56.150) C

                C     Possession of Stolen Property 2

                      (9A.56.160) D

                D     Possession of Stolen Property 3

                      (9A.56.170) E

                C     Taking Motor Vehicle Without

                      Owner's Permission (9A.56.070)     D

 

                      Motor Vehicle Related Crimes

                E     Driving Without a License

                      (46.20.021) E

                C     Hit and Run - Injury

                      (46.52.020(4))    D

                D     Hit and Run-Attended

                      (46.52.020(5))    E

                E     Hit and Run-Unattended

                      (46.52.010) E

                C     Vehicular Assault (46.61.522)                D

                C     Attempting to Elude Pursuing

                      Police Vehicle (46.61.024)                D

                E     Reckless Driving (46.61.500)                E

                D     Driving While Under the Influence

                      (46.61.502 and 46.61.504)                E

                D     Vehicle Prowling (9A.52.100)                E

                C     Taking Motor Vehicle Without

                      Owner's Permission (9A.56.070)     D

 

                      Other

                B     Bomb Threat (9.61.160)  C

                C     Escape 11 (9A.76.110)   C

                C     Escape 21 (9A.76.120)   C

                D     Escape 3 (9A.76.130)    E

                E     Obscene, Harassing, Etc.,

                      Phone Calls (9.61.230)  E

                A     Other Offense Equivalent to an

                      Adult Class A Felony    B+

                B     Other Offense Equivalent to an

                      Adult Class B Felony    C

                C     Other Offense Equivalent to an

                      Adult Class C Felony    D

                D     Other Offense Equivalent to an

                      Adult Gross Misdemeanor E

                E     Other Offense Equivalent to an

                      Adult Misdemeanor E

                V     Violation of Order of Restitution,

                      Community Supervision, or

                      Confinement (13.40.200)2 V

 

 

1Escape 1 and 2 and Attempted Escape 1 and 2 are classed as C offenses and the standard range is established as follows:

 

    1st escape or attempted escape during 12-month period - 4 weeks confinement

    2nd escape or attempted escape during 12-month period - 8 weeks confinement

    3rd and subsequent escape or attempted escape during 12-month period - 12 weeks confinement

 

2If the court finds that a respondent has violated terms of an order, it may impose a penalty of up to 30 days of confinement.

 

                            SCHEDULE B

                   PRIOR OFFENSE INCREASE FACTOR

 

    For use with all CURRENT OFFENSES occurring on or after July 1, 1989.

 

                             TIME SPAN

 

OFFENSE      0-12     13-24 25 Months

CATEGORY Months Months      or More

........................................

   A+      .9   .9    .9

    A       .9   .8    .6

   A-      .9   .8    .5

   B+      .9   .7    .4

    B       .9   .6    .3

   C+      .6   .3    .2

    C       .5   .2    .2

   D+      .3   .2    .1

    D       .2   .1    .1

    E       .1   .1    .1

 

 

Prior history - Any offense in which a diversion agreement or counsel and release form was signed, or any offense which has been adjudicated by court to be correct prior to the commission of the current offense(s).

 

                            SCHEDULE C

                      CURRENT OFFENSE POINTS

 

    For use with all CURRENT OFFENSES occurring on or after July 1, 1989.

 

                                AGE

 

OFFENSE   12 &

CATEGORY  Under   13   14    15    16    17

........................................

   A+                             STANDARD RANGE 180-224 WEEKS

    A       250  300   350   375   375   375

   A-       150  150   150   200   200   200

   B+       110  110   120   130   140   150

    B        45   45   50    50    57    57

   C+        44   44   49    49    55    55

    C        40   40   45    45    50    50

   D+        16   18   20    22    24    26

    D        14   16   18    20    22    24

    E         4    4   4     6     8     10

 

 

                   JUVENILE SENTENCING STANDARDS

                           SCHEDULE D-1

 

This schedule may only be used for minor/first offenders.  After the determination is made that a youth is a minor/first offender, the court has the discretion to select sentencing option A, B, or C.

 

                       MINOR/FIRST OFFENDER

 

                             OPTION A

                          STANDARD RANGE

 

          Community

        Community     Service

Points  Supervision   Hours Fine

........................................

 

1-9     0-3 months    and/or 0-8  and/or 0-$10

10-19   0-3 months    and/or 0-8  and/or 0-$10

20-29   0-3 months    and/or 0-16 and/or 0-$10

30-39   0-3 months    and/or 8-24 and/or 0-$25

40-49   3-6 months    and/or 16-32      and/or 0-$25

50-59   3-6 months    and/or 24-40      and/or 0-$25

60-69   6-9 months    and/or 32-48      and/or 0-$50

70-79   6-9 months    and/or 40-56      and/or 0-$50

80-89   9-12 months   and/or 48-64      and/or 10‑$100

90-109  9-12 months   and/or 56-72      and/or 10-$100

 

 

                                OR

 

                             OPTION B

                         STATUTORY OPTION

 

0-12 Months Community Supervision

0-150 Hours Community Service

0-100 Fine

Posting of a Probation Bond

 

A term of community supervision with a maximum of 150 hours, $100.00 fine, and 12 months supervision.

 

                                OR

 

                             OPTION C

                        MANIFEST INJUSTICE

 

When a term of community supervision would effectuate a manifest injustice, another disposition may be imposed.  When a judge imposes a sentence of confinement exceeding 30 days, the court shall sentence the juvenile to a maximum term and the provisions of RCW 13.40.030(2) shall be used to determine the range.

 

                   JUVENILE SENTENCING STANDARDS

                           SCHEDULE D-2

 

This schedule may only be used for middle offenders.  After the determination is made that a youth is a middle offender, the court has the discretion to select sentencing option A, B, or C.

 

                          MIDDLE OFFENDER

 

                             OPTION A

                          STANDARD RANGE

 

 

     Community

       Community Service            Confinement

Points Supervision          Hours          Fine      Days Weeks

.............................................

1-9    0-3 months           and/or 0-8 and/or 0-$10       and/or 0

10-19  0-3 months           and/or 0-8 and/or 0-$10       and/or 0

20-29  0-3 months           and/or 0-16 and/or 0-$10       and/or 0

30-39  0-3 months           and/or 8-24 and/or 0-$25       and/or 2‑4

40-49  3-6 months           and/or 16-32 and/or 0-$25       and/or 2‑4

50-59  3-6 months           and/or 24-40 and/or 0-$25       and/or 5‑10

60-69  6-9 months           and/or 32-48 and/or 0-$50       and/or 5‑10

70-79  6-9 months           and/or 40-56 and/or 0-$50       and/or 10‑20

80-89  9-12 months          and/or 48-64 and/or 0-$100       and/or 10‑20

90-109 9-12 months          and/or 56-72 and/or 0-$100       and/or 15‑30

110-129                                   8-12

130-149                                  13-16

150-199                                  21-28

200-249                                  30-40

250-299                                  52-65

300-374                                 80-100

375+                                   103-129

 

 

Middle offenders with 110 points or more do not have to be committed. They may be assigned community supervision under option B.

All A+ offenses 180-224 weeks

 

                                OR

 

                             OPTION B

                         STATUTORY OPTION

 

0-12 Months Community Supervision

0-150 Hours Community Service

0-100 Fine

Posting of a Probation Bond

 

If the offender has less than 110 points, the court may impose a determinate disposition of community supervision and/or up to 30 days confinement; in which case, if confinement has been imposed, the court shall state either aggravating or mitigating factors as set forth in RCW 13.40.150.

    If the middle offender has 110 points or more, the court may impose a disposition under option A and may suspend the disposition on the condition that the offender serve up to thirty days of confinement and follow all conditions of community supervision.  If the offender fails to comply with the terms of community supervision, the court may impose sanctions pursuant to RCW 13.40.200 or may revoke the suspended disposition and order execution of the disposition.  If the court imposes confinement for offenders with 110 points or more, the court shall state either aggravating or mitigating factors set forth in RCW 13.40.150.

 

                                OR

 

                             OPTION C

                        MANIFEST INJUSTICE

 

If the court determines that a disposition under A or B would effectuate a manifest injustice, the court shall sentence the juvenile to a maximum term and the provisions of RCW 13.40.030(2) shall be used to determine the range.

 

                   JUVENILE SENTENCING STANDARDS

                           SCHEDULE D-3

 

This schedule may only be used for serious offenders.  After the determination is made that a youth is a serious offender, the court has the discretion to select sentencing option A or B.

 

                         SERIOUS OFFENDER

                             OPTION A

                          STANDARD RANGE

 

    Points      Institution Time

........................................

 

    0-129 8-12 weeks

    130-149     13-16 weeks

    150-199     21-28 weeks

    200-249     30-40 weeks

    250-299     52-65 weeks

    300-374     80-100 weeks

    375+  103-129 weeks

    All A+ Offenses   180-224 weeks

 

                                OR

 

                             OPTION B

                        MANIFEST INJUSTICE

 

A disposition outside the standard range shall be determined and shall be comprised of confinement or community supervision including posting a probation bond or a combination thereof.  When a judge finds a manifest injustice and imposes a sentence of confinement exceeding 30 days, the court shall sentence the juvenile to a maximum term, and the provisions of RCW 13.40.030(2) shall be used to determine the range.

 

                   JUVENILE SENTENCING STANDARDS

                           SCHEDULE D-4

 

This schedule may only be used for persistent offenders.  After the determination is made that a youth is a persistent offender, the court must commit the offender to the department for confinement until his or her twenty-first birthday unless the court recommends that the department commit the offender to the juvenile offender basic training camp program.  If the persistent offender fails to successfully complete the basic training camp program, complete a substance abuse treatment program if the department of social and health services determines that such a program is necessary, and complete a course to obtain a general equivalency degree, then the offender must be committed to the department for confinement until his or her twenty-first birthday.

 

    Sec. 3.  RCW 13.40.150 and 1995 c 268 s 5 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) Consult with the respondent's parent, guardian, or custodian on the appropriateness of dispositional options under consideration and 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) Determine the amount of restitution owing to the victim, if any;

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

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

    (i) 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 13.40.135;

    (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. 4.  RCW 13.40.160 and 1995 c 395 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) When the respondent is found to be a persistent offender, the court shall commit the offender to the department for confinement until his or her twenty-first birthday unless the court recommends that the department commit the offender to the juvenile offender basic training camp program.  If the persistent offender fails to successfully complete the basic training camp program, complete a substance abuse treatment program if the department of social and health services determines that such a program is necessary, and complete a course to obtain a general equivalency degree, then the offender must be committed to the department for confinement until his or her twenty-first birthday.

    (2) When the respondent is found to be a serious offender, the court shall commit the offender to the department for the standard range of disposition for the offense, as indicated in option A of schedule D-3, RCW 13.40.0357 except as provided in subsections (((5))) (6) and (((6))) (7) of this section.

    If the court concludes, and enters reasons for its conclusion, that disposition within the standard range would effectuate a manifest injustice the court shall impose a disposition outside the standard range, as indicated in option B of schedule D-3, RCW 13.40.0357.  The court's finding of manifest injustice shall be supported by clear and convincing evidence.

    A disposition outside the standard range shall be determinate and shall be comprised of confinement or community supervision, or a combination thereof.  When a judge finds a manifest injustice and imposes a sentence of confinement exceeding thirty days, the court shall sentence the juvenile to a maximum term, and the provisions of RCW 13.40.030(2) shall be used to determine the range.  A disposition outside the standard range is appealable under RCW 13.40.230 by the state or the respondent.  A disposition within the standard range is not appealable under RCW 13.40.230.

    (((2))) (3) Where the respondent is found to be a minor or first offender, the court shall order that the respondent serve a term of community supervision as indicated in option A or option B of schedule D-1, RCW 13.40.0357 except as provided in subsections (((5))) (6) and (((6))) (7) of this section.  If the court determines that a disposition of community supervision would effectuate a manifest injustice the court may impose another disposition under option C of schedule D-1, RCW 13.40.0357.  Except as provided in subsection (((5))) (6) of this section, a disposition other than a community supervision may be imposed only after the court enters reasons upon which it bases its conclusions that imposition of community supervision would effectuate a manifest injustice.  When a judge finds a manifest injustice and imposes a sentence of confinement exceeding thirty days, the court shall sentence the juvenile to a maximum term, and the provisions of RCW 13.40.030(2) shall be used to determine the range.  The court's finding of manifest injustice shall be supported by clear and convincing evidence.

    Except for disposition of community supervision or a disposition imposed pursuant to subsection (((5))) (6) of this section, a  disposition may be appealed as provided in RCW 13.40.230 by the state or the respondent.  A disposition of community supervision or a disposition imposed pursuant to subsection (((5))) (6) of this section may not be appealed under RCW 13.40.230.

    (((3))) (4) Where a respondent is found to have committed an offense for which the respondent declined to enter into a diversion agreement, the court shall impose a term of community supervision limited to the conditions allowed in a diversion agreement as provided in RCW 13.40.080(2).

    (((4))) (5) If a respondent is found to be a middle offender:

    (a) The court shall impose a determinate disposition within the standard range(s) for such offense, as indicated in option A of schedule D-2, RCW 13.40.0357 except as provided in subsections (((5))) (6) and (((6))) (7) of this section.  If the standard range includes a term of confinement exceeding thirty days, commitment shall be to the department for the standard range of confinement; or

    (b) If the middle offender has less than 110 points, the court shall impose a determinate disposition of community supervision and/or up to thirty days confinement, as indicated in option B of schedule D-2, RCW 13.40.0357 in which case, if confinement has been imposed, the court shall state either aggravating or mitigating factors as set forth in RCW 13.40.150.  If the middle offender has 110 points or more, the court may impose a disposition under option A and may suspend the disposition on the condition that the offender serve up to thirty days of confinement and follow all conditions of community supervision.  If the offender violates any condition of the disposition including conditions of a probation bond, the court may impose sanctions pursuant to RCW 13.40.200 or may revoke the suspension and order execution of the disposition.  The court shall give credit for any confinement time previously served if that confinement was for the offense for which the suspension is being revoked.

    (c) Only if the court concludes, and enters reasons for its conclusions, that disposition as provided in ((subsection (4))) (a) or (b) of this ((section)) subsection would effectuate a manifest injustice, the court shall sentence the juvenile to a maximum term, and the provisions of RCW 13.40.030(2) shall be used to determine the range.  The court's finding of manifest injustice shall be supported by clear and convincing evidence.

    (d) A disposition pursuant to ((subsection (4)))(c) of this ((section)) subsection is appealable under RCW 13.40.230 by the state or the respondent.  A disposition pursuant to ((subsection (4)))(a) or (b) of this ((section)) subsection is not appealable under RCW 13.40.230.

    (((5))) (6) When a serious, middle, or minor first offender is found to have committed a sex offense, other than a sex offense that is also a serious violent offense as defined by RCW 9.94A.030, and has no history of a prior sex offense, the court, on its own motion or the motion of the state or the respondent, may order an examination to determine whether the respondent is amenable to treatment.

    The report of the examination shall include at a minimum the following:  The respondent's version of the facts and the official version of the facts, the respondent's offense history, an assessment of problems in addition to alleged deviant behaviors, the respondent's social, educational, 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 respondent's amenability to treatment and relative risk to the community.  A proposed treatment plan shall be provided and shall include, at a minimum:

    (a)(i) Frequency and type of contact between the offender and therapist;

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

    (iii) Monitoring plans, including any requirements regarding living conditions, lifestyle requirements, and monitoring by family members, legal guardians, or others;

    (iv) Anticipated length of treatment; and

    (v) 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.

    After receipt of reports of the examination, the court shall then consider whether the offender and the community will benefit from use of this special sex offender disposition alternative and consider the victim's opinion whether the offender should receive a treatment disposition under this section.  If the court determines that this special sex offender disposition alternative is appropriate, then the court shall impose a determinate disposition within the standard range for the offense, and the court may suspend the execution of the disposition and place the offender on community supervision for up to two years.  As a condition of the suspended disposition, the court may impose the conditions of community supervision and other conditions, including up to thirty days of confinement and requirements that the offender do any one or more of the following:

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

    (ii) Undergo available outpatient sex offender treatment for up to two years, or inpatient sex offender treatment not to exceed the standard range of confinement for that offense.  A community mental health center may not be used for such treatment unless it has an appropriate program designed for sex offender treatment.  The respondent shall not change sex offender treatment providers or treatment conditions without first notifying the prosecutor, the probation counselor, and the court, and shall not change providers without court approval after a hearing if the prosecutor or probation counselor object to the change;

    (iii) Remain within prescribed geographical boundaries and notify the court or the probation counselor prior to any change in the offender's address, educational program, or employment;

    (iv) Report to the prosecutor and the probation counselor prior to any change in a sex offender treatment provider.  This change shall have prior approval by the court;

    (v) Report as directed to the court and a probation counselor;

    (vi) Pay all court-ordered legal financial obligations, perform community service, or any combination thereof;

    (vii) Make restitution to the victim for the cost of any counseling reasonably related to the offense; or

    (viii) Comply with the conditions of any court-ordered probation bond.

    The sex offender treatment provider shall submit quarterly reports on the respondent's progress in treatment to the court and the parties.  The reports shall reference the treatment plan and include at a minimum the following:  Dates of attendance, respondent's compliance with requirements, treatment activities, the respondent's relative progress in treatment, and any other material specified by the court at the time of the disposition.

    At the time of the disposition, the court may set treatment review hearings as the court considers appropriate.

    Except as provided in this subsection (((5))) (6), 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.  A sex offender therapist who examines or treats a juvenile sex offender pursuant to this subsection does not have to be certified by the department of health pursuant to chapter 18.155 RCW if the court finds that:  (A) The offender has already moved to another state or plans to move to another state for reasons other than circumventing the certification requirements; (B) no certified providers are available for treatment within a reasonable geographical distance of the offender's home; and (C) the evaluation and treatment plan comply with this subsection (((5))) (6) and the rules adopted by the department of health.

    If the offender violates any condition of the disposition or the court finds that the respondent is failing to make satisfactory progress in treatment, the court may revoke the suspension and order execution of the disposition or the court may impose a penalty of up to thirty days' confinement for violating conditions of the disposition.  The court may order both execution of the disposition and up to thirty days' confinement for the violation of the conditions of the disposition.  The court shall give credit for any confinement time previously served if that confinement was for the offense for which the suspension is being revoked.

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

    (((6))) (7) RCW 13.40.193 shall govern the disposition of any juvenile adjudicated of possessing a firearm in violation of RCW 9.41.040(1)(((e))) (b)(iii) or any crime in which a special finding is entered that the juvenile was armed with a firearm.

    (((7))) (8) Whenever a juvenile offender is entitled to credit for time spent in detention prior to a dispositional order, the dispositional order shall specifically state the number of days of credit for time served.

    (((8))) (9) Except as provided for in subsection (((4))) (5)(b) or (((5))) (6) of this section or RCW 13.40.125, the court shall not suspend or defer the imposition or the execution of the disposition.

    (((9))) (10) In no case shall the term of confinement imposed by the court at disposition exceed that to which an adult could be subjected for the same offense.

 

    Sec. 5.  RCW 13.40.320 and 1995 c 40 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    (1) The department of social and health services shall establish and operate a medium security juvenile offender basic training camp program.  The department shall site a juvenile offender basic training camp facility in the most cost-effective facility possible and shall review the possibility of using an existing abandoned and/or available state, federally, or military-owned site or facility.

    (2) The department may contract under this chapter with private companies, the national guard, or other federal, state, or local agencies to operate the juvenile offender basic training camp, notwithstanding the provisions of RCW 41.06.380.  Requests for proposals from possible contractors shall not call for payment on a per diem basis.

    (3) The juvenile offender basic training camp shall accommodate at least seventy offenders.  The beds shall count as additions to, and not be used as replacements for, existing bed capacity at existing department of social and health services juvenile facilities.

    (4) The juvenile offender basic training camp shall be a structured and regimented model lasting one hundred twenty days emphasizing the building up of an offender's self-esteem, confidence, and discipline.  The juvenile offender basic training camp program shall provide participants with basic education, prevocational training, work-based learning, live work, work ethic skills, conflict resolution counseling, substance abuse intervention, anger management counseling, and structured intensive physical training.  The juvenile offender basic training camp program shall have a curriculum training and work schedule that incorporates a balanced assignment of these or other rehabilitation and training components for no less than sixteen hours per day, six days a week.

    The department shall adopt rules for the safe and effective operation of the juvenile offender basic training camp program, standards for an offender's successful program completion, and rules for the continued after-care supervision of offenders who have successfully completed the program.

    (5) Offenders eligible for the juvenile offender basic training camp option ((shall be)) are those with a disposition of not more than seventy-eight weeks or those persistent offenders who are otherwise eligible.  Violent and sex offenders shall not be eligible for the juvenile offender basic training camp program.

    (6) If the court determines that the offender is eligible for the juvenile offender basic training camp option, the court may recommend that the department place the offender in the program.  The department shall evaluate the offender and may place the offender in the program.  The evaluation shall include, at a minimum, a risk assessment developed by the department and designed to determine the offender's suitability for the program.  No juvenile who is assessed as a high risk offender or suffers from any mental or physical problems that could endanger his or her health or drastically affect his or her performance in the program shall be admitted to or retained in the juvenile offender basic training camp program.

    (7) All juvenile offenders eligible for the juvenile offender basic training camp sentencing option shall spend one hundred twenty days of their disposition in a juvenile offender basic training camp.  If the juvenile offender's activities while in the juvenile offender basic training camp are so disruptive to the juvenile offender basic training camp program, as determined by the secretary according to rules adopted by the department, as to result in the removal of the juvenile offender from the juvenile offender basic training camp program, or if the offender cannot complete the juvenile offender basic training camp program due to medical problems, the secretary shall require that the offender be committed to a juvenile institution to serve the entire remainder of his or her disposition, less the amount of time already served in the juvenile offender basic training camp program.

    (8) All offenders who successfully graduate from the one hundred twenty day juvenile offender basic training camp program shall spend the remainder of their disposition on parole in a division of juvenile rehabilitation intensive aftercare program in the local community.  The program shall provide for the needs of the offender based on his or her progress in the aftercare program as indicated by ongoing assessment of those needs and progress.  The intensive aftercare program shall monitor postprogram juvenile offenders and assist them to successfully reintegrate into the community.  In addition, the program shall develop a process for closely monitoring and assessing public safety risks.  The intensive aftercare program shall be designed and funded by the department of social and health services.

    (9) The department shall also develop and maintain a data base to measure recidivism rates specific to this incarceration program.  The data base shall maintain data on all juvenile offenders who complete the juvenile offender basic training camp program for a period of two years after they have completed the program.  The data base shall also maintain data on the criminal activity, educational progress, and employment activities of all juvenile offenders who participated in the program.  The department shall produce an outcome evaluation report on the progress of the juvenile offender basic training camp program to the appropriate committees of the legislature no later than December 12, 1996.

 

    Sec. 6.  RCW 13.40.077 and 1996 c 9 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

   

 

                 RECOMMENDED PROSECUTING STANDARDS

                FOR CHARGING AND PLEA DISPOSITIONS

 

    INTRODUCTION:  These standards are intended solely for the guidance of prosecutors in the state of Washington.  They are not intended to, do not, and may not be relied upon to create a right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law by a party in litigation with the state.

    Evidentiary sufficiency.

    (1) Decision not to prosecute.

    STANDARD:  A prosecuting attorney may decline to prosecute, even though technically sufficient evidence to prosecute exists, in situations where prosecution would serve no public purpose, would defeat the underlying purpose of the law in question, or would result in decreased respect for the law.  The decision not to prosecute or divert shall not be influenced by the race, gender, religion, or creed of the suspect.

    GUIDELINES/COMMENTARY:

    Examples

    The following are examples of reasons not to prosecute which could satisfy the standard.

    (a) Contrary to Legislative Intent - It may be proper to decline to charge where the application of criminal sanctions would be clearly contrary to the intent of the legislature in enacting the particular statute.

    (b) Antiquated Statute - It may be proper to decline to charge where the statute in question is antiquated in that:

    (i) It has not been enforced for many years;

    (ii) Most members of society act as if it were no longer in existence;

    (iii) It serves no deterrent or protective purpose in today's society; and

    (iv) The statute has not been recently reconsidered by the legislature.

    This reason is not to be construed as the basis for declining cases because the law in question is unpopular or because it is difficult to enforce.

    (c) De Minimis Violation - It may be proper to decline to charge where the violation of law is only technical or insubstantial and where no public interest or deterrent purpose would be served by prosecution.

    (d) Confinement on Other Charges - It may be proper to decline to charge because the accused has been sentenced on another charge to a lengthy period of confinement; and

    (i) Conviction of the new offense would not merit any additional direct or collateral punishment;

    (ii) The new offense is either a misdemeanor or a felony which is not particularly aggravated; and

    (iii) Conviction of the new offense would not serve any significant deterrent purpose.

    (e) Pending Conviction on Another Charge - It may be proper to decline to charge because the accused is facing a pending prosecution in the same or another county; and

    (i) Conviction of the new offense would not merit any additional direct or collateral punishment;

    (ii) Conviction in the pending prosecution is imminent;

    (iii) The new offense is either a misdemeanor or a felony which is not particularly aggravated; and

    (iv) Conviction of the new offense would not serve any significant deterrent purpose.

    (f) High Disproportionate Cost of Prosecution - It may be proper to decline to charge where the cost of locating or transporting, or the burden on, prosecution witnesses is highly disproportionate to the importance of prosecuting the offense in question.  The reason should be limited to minor cases and should not be relied upon in serious cases.

    (g) Improper Motives of Complainant - It may be proper to decline charges because the motives of the complainant are improper and prosecution would serve no public purpose, would defeat the underlying purpose of the law in question, or would result in decreased respect for the law.

    (h) Immunity - It may be proper to decline to charge where immunity is to be given to an accused in order to prosecute another where the accused information or testimony will reasonably lead to the conviction of others who are responsible for more serious criminal conduct or who represent a greater danger to the public interest.

    (i) Victim Request - It may be proper to decline to charge because the victim requests that no criminal charges be filed and the case involves the following crimes or situations:

    (i) Assault cases where the victim has suffered little or no injury;

    (ii) Crimes against property, not involving violence, where no major loss was suffered;

    (iii) Where doing so would not jeopardize the safety of society.

    Care should be taken to insure that the victim's request is freely made and is not the product of threats or pressure by the accused.

    The presence of these factors may also justify the decision to dismiss a prosecution which has been commenced.

    Notification

    The prosecutor is encouraged to notify the victim, when practical, and the law enforcement personnel, of the decision not to prosecute.

    (2) Decision to prosecute.

    STANDARD:

    Crimes against persons will be filed if sufficient admissible evidence exists, which, when considered with the most plausible, reasonably foreseeable defense that could be raised under the evidence, would justify conviction by a reasonable and objective fact-finder.  With regard to offenses prohibited by RCW 9A.44.040, 9A.44.050, 9A.44.073, 9A.44.076, 9A.44.079, 9A.44.083, 9A.44.086, 9A.44.089, and 9A.64.020 the prosecutor should avoid prefiling agreements or diversions intended to place the accused in a program of treatment or counseling, so that treatment, if determined to be beneficial, can be proved under RCW 13.40.160(5).

    Crimes against property/other crimes will be filed if the admissible evidence is of such convincing force as to make it probable that a reasonable and objective fact-finder would convict after hearing all the admissible evidence and the most plausible defense that could be raised.

    The categorization of crimes for these charging standards shall be the same as found in RCW 9.94A.440(2).

    The decision to prosecute or use diversion shall not be influenced by the race, gender, religion, or creed of the respondent.

    (3) Selection of Charges/Degree of Charge

    (a) The prosecutor should file charges which adequately describe the nature of the respondent's conduct.  Other offenses may be charged only if they are necessary to ensure that the charges:

    (i) Will significantly enhance the strength of the state's case at trial; or

    (ii) Will result in restitution to all victims.

    (b) The prosecutor should not overcharge to obtain a guilty plea.  Overcharging includes:

    (i) Charging a higher degree;

    (ii) Charging additional counts.

    This standard is intended to direct prosecutors to charge those crimes which demonstrate the nature and seriousness of a respondent's criminal conduct, but to decline to charge crimes which are not necessary to such an indication.  Crimes which do not merge as a matter of law, but which arise from the same course of conduct, do not all have to be charged.

    (4) Police Investigation

    A prosecuting attorney is dependent upon law enforcement agencies to conduct the necessary factual investigation which must precede the decision to prosecute.  The prosecuting attorney shall ensure that a thorough factual investigation has been conducted before a decision to prosecute is made.  In ordinary circumstances the investigation should include the following:

    (a) The interviewing of all material witnesses, together with the obtaining of written statements whenever possible;

    (b) The completion of necessary laboratory tests; and

    (c) The obtaining, in accordance with constitutional requirements, of the suspect's version of the events.

    If the initial investigation is incomplete, a prosecuting attorney should insist upon further investigation before a decision to prosecute is made, and specify what the investigation needs to include.

    (5) Exceptions

    In certain situations, a prosecuting attorney may authorize filing of a criminal complaint before the investigation is complete if:

    (a) Probable cause exists to believe the suspect is guilty; and

    (b) The suspect presents a danger to the community or is likely to flee if not apprehended; or

    (c) The arrest of the suspect is necessary to complete the investigation of the crime.

    In the event that the exception ((that [to])) to the standard is applied, the prosecuting attorney shall obtain a commitment from the law enforcement agency involved to complete the investigation in a timely manner.  If the subsequent investigation does not produce sufficient evidence to meet the normal charging standard, the complaint should be dismissed.

    (6) Investigation Techniques

    The prosecutor should be fully advised of the investigatory techniques that were used in the case investigation including:

    (a) Polygraph testing;

    (b) Hypnosis;

    (c) Electronic surveillance;

    (d) Use of informants.

    (7) Prefiling Discussions with Defendant

    Discussions with the defendant or his or her representative regarding the selection or disposition of charges may occur prior to the filing of charges, and potential agreements can be reached.

    (8) Plea dispositions:

    STANDARD

    (a) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, a respondent will normally be expected to plead guilty to the charge or charges which adequately describe the nature of his or her criminal conduct or go to trial.

    (b) In certain circumstances, a plea agreement with a respondent in exchange for a plea of guilty to a charge or charges that may not fully describe the nature of his or her criminal conduct may be necessary and in the public interest.  Such situations may include the following:

    (i) Evidentiary problems which make conviction of the original charges doubtful;

    (ii) The respondent's willingness to cooperate in the investigation or prosecution of others whose criminal conduct is more serious or represents a greater public threat;

    (iii) A request by the victim when it is not the result of pressure from the respondent;

    (iv) The discovery of facts which mitigate the seriousness of the respondent's conduct;

    (v) The correction of errors in the initial charging decision;

    (vi) The respondent's history with respect to criminal activity;

    (vii) The nature and seriousness of the offense or offenses charged;

    (viii) The probable effect of witnesses.

    (c) It is not appropriate for a prosecutor to accept a plea of guilty to a charge that does not adequately describe the nature of the respondent's action if a consideration in the plea is the avoidance of a designation as a persistent offender as defined under RCW 13.40.020(20).

    (d) No plea agreement shall be influenced by the race, gender, religion, or creed of the respondent.  This includes but is not limited to the prosecutor's decision to utilize such disposition alternatives as "Option B," the Special Sex Offender Disposition Alternative, and manifest injustice.

    (9) Disposition recommendations:

    STANDARD

    The prosecutor may reach an agreement regarding disposition recommendations.

    The prosecutor shall not agree to withhold relevant information from the court concerning the plea agreement.

 


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