H-4503              _______________________________________________

                                           HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL NO. 4038

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State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Representatives McLean, Silver, Ferguson, Holland, Doty, May, D. Sommers and Brough

Read first time 1/27/88 and referred to Committee on Judiciary.

!ixTO THE WASHINGTON STATE SUPREME COURT:

We, your Memorialists, the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Washington, in legislative session assembled, respectfully represent and petition as follows:

          WHEREAS, The Washington Constitution delegates the powers of the legislative, judicial, and executive to separate branches of the government; and

          WHEREAS, The Supreme Court of Washington has rule-making authority for the courts of Washington; and

          WHEREAS, The Legislature finds that it is in the public interest to protect and preserve the rights of juveniles; and

          WHEREAS, The right to a speedy trial in criminal prosecutions is guaranteed by Article I, Section 22 of the Washington State Constitution; and

          WHEREAS, The sense of time in young persons is different from that of their elders; and

          WHEREAS, Numerous research studies have demonstrated that quick and sure justice is most effective as a deterrent; and

          WHEREAS, Young people's sense of fairness demands that wrong-doing be penalized; and

          WHEREAS, Citizens have brought to our attention the fact that juvenile offenders are aware that there will not be immediate consequences to their actions;

          NOW, THEREFORE, Your Memorialists respectfully pray that the Washington State Supreme Court take immediate action to review the Juvenile Court Rules to shorten time limits as is practicable for the period between the filing of all informations and adjudicatory or dispositional hearings so that the offender can begin the penalty phase while the crime is still fresh in his or her mind; and

          We respectfully pray that a rule be promulgated setting time limits for the period from referrals to the signing of the diversion agreements so that the offender may begin community service and restitution as soon after the crime as possible.

          BE IT RESOLVED, That copies of this Memorial be immediately transmitted to the Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court.