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1. Where is the Juvenile Court Clerk's Office?

1. 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. Enter through A Building and proceed to the left until you pass the courtrooms. The Clerk’s Office is the last door on the left.

2. How do I quash my warrant?

A warrant can be quashed three ways:

1. Visit the Clerk’s Office at Juvenile Court (Remann Hall) to set a court date to quash your warrant and continue with your hearing (preferred method)
2. Turn yourself into detention
3. Police arrest you on your warrant and book you into detention. If you already have an assigned probation officer, you can contact the probation officer and request assistance in setting up a Warrant Quash hearing.

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

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

4. 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.

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 (DAC). 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. 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.

7. 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.

8. Are there common criminal court hearings?

See Common Criminal Court Hearings

9. 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.

10. Can anyone come to Juvenile Court hearings?

The following court hearings are open to the public, including the media; however, there are limitation 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. What do I need to do if I am unable to attend my Tuesday afternoon truancy hearing or I missed my hearing?

Go to the Administration Building lobby at Remann Hall and sign for a new date.

15. What do I need to do if I missed a Thursday truancy hearing?

Go to the Clerk’s Office at Remann Hall to request setting a new date and possibly taking care of a bench warrant.