Non-Offender Unit

Truancy

Actions for Custody & Paternity Proceedings

Adoption Proceedings

Emancipation Proceedings

Truancy

In Washington State, children ages 8 through 17 are required by law to attend an approved school program. A child who is 16 or older is not required to attend school if he or she is regularly and lawfully employed and either the parent agrees that the child should not be required to attend school or the child is emancipated. Further, a child who is 16 or older is not required to attend school if the child has already met graduation requirements in accordance with State Board of Education rules and regulations or has received a Certificate of Competence (GED).

If a child who is required to attend school has more than 7 unexcused absences from school in a month or 10 unexcused absences in a school year the school district must file a petition with the juvenile court alleging a violation of the law governing compulsory school attendance.

The role of the Juvenile Department in truancy cases is to monitor juveniles who are reported by the schools as truant, and assist them in the compliance of the requirement to attend school. Truancy interventionists meet with school officials and other collateral agencies involved in the case plan of the youth and family and recommend resources to support or accelerate a successful resolution of truancy issues.
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Dissolutions, Domestic Violence, Non-Parental Actions for Custody & Paternity Proceedings

The court may appoint the Juvenile Department as Family Court Investigator (FCI), or in some cases guardian ad litem (GAL), to investigate and make recommendations to the court as to visitation and/or temporary or permanent living arrangements for children involved in these proceedings. Typically, appointments are made when there are allegations of abuse or neglect, drug/alcohol use, mental health issues or other safety concerns.
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Adoption Proceedings

The Juvenile Department may be appointed as GAL for any parent or alleged father under the age of 18, as well as for the child adoptee or an incompetent party. When appointed for a minor parent, the GAL shall determine what is in the best interest of the parent as well as determining whether any written consent to adoption or relinquishment signed was done so voluntarily and with an understanding of the consequences of the action, and report such to the court. When appointed for the child adoptee, the GAL’s limited purpose is to investigate and report to the court as to the child’s best interest, and not for the purpose of conducting pre-placement or post-placement reports.
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Emancipation Proceedings

Any minor who is 16 years of age or older and who is a resident of the State of Washington may petition the court for a declaration of emancipation.

The court shall grant the petition for emancipation if the petitioner proves the following facts by clear and convincing evidence: that the petitioner is 16 or older, is a resident of the state, has the ability to manage his or her financial affairs, and has the ability to manage his or her personal, social, educational, and non-financial affairs.

The court may appoint the Juvenile Department as GAL for the petitioning juvenile in these cases. As such, the GAL will investigate the matter and provide the court with information addressing the following:

• ability of the juvenile to manage his or her financial affairs,
• ability to manage his or her personal, social, education and non-financial affairs,
• criminal history,
• length of time at current residence, and
• parental wishes.

The GAL will provide a recommendation whether or not the petition for emancipation should be granted.  The emancipation process begins with the Clerk's Office.