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Juvenile Court

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1. Where is Juvenile Court (Remann Hall)?

You may view our directions to Juvenile Court (Remann Hall), view a map or use the address, which is:
Remann Hall
5501 6th Ave.
Tacoma, WA 98406

2. What happens when a juvenile is arrested or cited for a criminal offense?

When arrested for a criminal act, a juvenile is referred to the Pierce County Juvenile Court. An arrest is made when a law enforcement officer has reason to believe that a crime has been committed and a specific individual was involved in that crime (probable cause). Following the arrest, the juvenile may be detained at Remann Hall. It is important to note that at the time of the juvenile's arrest and entry into detention, the juvenile has not yet been charged with a crime. The agency responsible for filing criminal charges is the Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

A law enforcement officer may submit a report to the prosecutor for a charging decision without taking a juvenile into custody. If the prosecutor decides to file charges, a notice and summons will be mailed to the parents or guardian of the juvenile. A ‘Notice and Summons’ directs the parents to appear with the juvenile on a given day for an arraignment. A copy of the formal charges is included. If the juvenile fails to appear on the specified date, an arrest warrant will be issued. If the charge is minor in nature, the juvenile's case may be referred to the Diversion unit. Notification of receiving the referral is sent out by the Diversion unit shortly after reviewing charges for acceptance.

3. Do I have any financial responsibilities if my child is arrested or detained?

There are no costs for detention or a public defender. If found guilty, your child may be court-ordered to pay fines and costs associated with his/her crime.

4. If my child was detained, are there court hearings?

Possibly, depending on the severity of the offense and the youth’s criminal history.

5. Do I need legal representation?

As in all legal matters, the assistance of a professional attorney is strongly suggested but not required. Legal representation/assistance is available through the Department of Assigned Counsel. Prior to arraignments, a screening is conducted of the parent/child by Pre-Trial Services to determine if eligible for free representation. See DAC

6. When am I going to get to meet with my attorney to talk about my case and how can I find out which attorney is assigned to me?

After the arraignment, a scheduling conference date will be set in 1-2 weeks. This is the youth’s opportunity to discuss the case. It is important for youth and their parents to know that the youth is the attorney’s client, not the youth’s parents. An attorney will be provided through the Department of Assigned Counsel (DAC), unless the youth’s family has hired their own attorney. DAC may be contacted at 798-6062 if you would like to know which attorney is assigned to your case. See DAC

7. What happens at arraignment?

The “State” (Prosecutor’s Office) will announce the charges filed against the youth. This is not a trial. Facts of the case will not be debated at this hearing. The youth will have a public defender present for them at this hearing. Typically, youth plead “not guilty” at this stage in order to preserve all of their rights and also to give them an opportunity to speak with an attorney more in-depth about their case. The issue of detention or release will be addressed by the court at the arraignment. Parents are required to appear with their child. The parent may be asked questions by the court. Parent and youth are required to sign release orders acknowledging the release conditions.

8. Are there any legal negotiations or plea bargaining?

A scheduling conference is a meeting between the juvenile's attorney and the prosecuting attorney to discuss legal and factual issues of the case. Plea negotiation information is exchanged and resolutions are discussed. The defense attorney will then discuss this information with the juvenile, who must be present for the scheduling conference. A decision is then made to either enter a plea of guilty or schedule the matter for trial.

9. What are the chances I will be detained?

There is no clear way to answer this question because it varies between each youth and his/her own circumstances. The two primary factors the court considers are 1) risk to the community if the youth is released and 2) likelihood of appearing for future court hearings. There are other elements taken into consideration as such as, “Is there a parent available to adequately supervise?” and “What is the youth’s history of court order compliance?” The probation officer can answer your questions and do their best to prepare you for the outcome of the hearing, but there is no guarantee because the presiding judge has full decision-making authority and the judge will make his/her ruling at the court hearing pertaining to release or detention pending further court hearings.

10. Are there common criminal court hearings?

See Common Criminal Court Hearings

11. Can anyone come to Juvenile Court hearings?

The following court hearings are open to the public, including the media; however, there are limitations that can be imposed by the judge, such as not filming a juvenile's face. Victims also have the right to be present at court AND are allowed to address the court at the appropriate time.

- Criminal
- Dependency/Termination (You may be asked to leave the courtroom if there is an objection by a party on the case)

The following hearings are closed to the public:

- At-Risk Youth
- Child in Need of Services
- Emancipation
- Juvenile Harassment
- Truancy

12. Does my parent have to come with me to court?

Parents are required to appear with their child. The parent may be asked questions by the court. Parent and youth are required to sign release orders acknowledging the release conditions. If a parent does not show for court, the outcome of the hearing can be greatly affected: Youth could remain in detention, or youth who is currently out-of-custody and appears for court by him or herself could be booked into detention until the parents make themselves available for court. This can create extra hearings and/or additional detention fees for the parents and disrupts what would otherwise be an appropriate release plan because the parent was not in court to sign the release conditions.

13. Are there any basic rules I need to follow when I come to court?

Be sure to dress appropriately. Hats and sunglasses are not allowed in the courtroom. Also, all electronic devices need to be turned off. There is no talking in the gallery unless the court addresses you. There is either a court reporter or a recording device in the courtroom which takes note of what is being said. If there are disruptions, such excessive talking, cell phones ringing, or babies crying, you may be asked to leave the courtroom.

14. Do I have any obligations while my child waits for his/her court hearing?

If a juvenile violates any condition of the pretrial order, the parent or guardian must immediately report the violation to the probation officer, who either schedules the matter for a court hearing or requests a bench warrant. If the court finds that any condition of the order has been violated, the court may order the juvenile's detention pending trial or disposition.

15. Are there ever restrictions/obligations after a court hearing?

The court has the authority to place a juvenile on community supervision for up to one year for each offense. While under the supervision of the court, the juvenile is required to meet certain conditions, including (but not limited to) curfew, fines, community service, association restrictions, regular school attendance, counseling, and regular contact with the probation officer. If the juvenile violates any condition of community supervision, the parent (guardian) must immediately report the violation to the probation officer who may handle the violation informally, schedule the matter for court, or request a bench warrant. If found to have violated any condition of community supervision, the court may order the juvenile to serve up to 30 days in detention for each violation.

16. Can my child be detained for a long time?

Under certain legal circumstances, the court has the authority to commit a juvenile to the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA) for any length of time up to the age of 21. The court sets the maximum amount of time the juvenile will serve. During the period of confinement, the juvenile will be placed in a state institution or group home. The juvenile's placement is determined by the Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration (JRA), not the court. Following the juvenile's release from the institution/group home, parole services are provided for a specified period of time. See JRA

17. How do I quash my warrant?

A warrant can be quashed 3 ways: 1) Turn yourself into detention, 2) police arrest you on your warrant and book you into detention or 3) visit our Clerk’s Office at Juvenile Court to set a court date to quash your warrant and continue with your hearing. Number 3 is the preferred method. If you already have an assigned probation officer, you can contact the probation officer and request assistance in setting up a Warrant Quash hearing.

18. What do I do if I get a curfew violation?

Northwest Leadership Foundation handles the intervention for a curfew violation. Call them at (253) 272-0771.