Juvenile Court
King County Juvenile Court provides court services for young people under 18 who are accused of committing an offense and their families. This article explains how Juvenile Court works, where families can find court information, what services are available, how to prepare for hearings, and which offices handle different parts of the juvenile court process.
About Juvenile Court Services
King County Juvenile Court hears cases involving young people under the age of 18 who are accused of breaking the law. The court uses a trauma-informed approach that focuses on the individual needs of youth and families throughout the court process.
Juvenile Court Services provides programs and services designed to support youth involved in the court system. These services may include community supervision, diversion programs, education and employment support, mentoring, assessments, and family-focused interventions.
The main Juvenile Court information page provides details about court programs, services, forms, detention information, and ways to contact the court. Visit the Juvenile Court Services information page for official information from King County.
Juvenile Court Locations
Juvenile Court, Juvenile Detention, and related programs are located at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center. The facility is used for juvenile court services, detention services, hearings, and related family support programs.
Security screening is provided by the King County Sheriff’s Office at the main entrance of the Clark Children & Family Justice Center. Weapons, hazardous materials, and illegal items are not allowed inside the courthouse. State laws regarding smoking and tobacco possession are enforced at the facility.
Families visiting the court should review any letters or documents received from the court before arriving. Court notices may include information about a hearing date, time, or contact person.
Preparing for Court Hearings
A court letter should be read carefully because it may include instructions about the first hearing or other required actions. Families who need information about a hearing may contact the Juvenile Court Resource Center, their Juvenile Probation Counselor (JPC), or their attorney if one has been assigned.
When attending a hearing, bring any court documents that have been provided. These documents may include:
Court orders
Court summons documents
Letters received from the court
If a young person has a warrant for their arrest, families should contact their attorney or Juvenile Probation Counselor. A JPC can provide information about the youth’s involvement with Juvenile Court and help connect families with available services.
Juvenile Probation Counselors
Juvenile Probation Counselors are involved throughout the juvenile court process. A JPC meets with youth and families after a referral to the court, completes assessments, and helps create a plan based on the youth’s situation.
JPCs may recommend programs and services, provide support during court involvement, and work with parents or guardians, schools, law enforcement, and community partners. In court proceedings, the JPC provides recommendations to the judge. The judge makes decisions about court requirements and outcomes.
Community supervision, also called probation, helps youth meet court requirements. Requirements can vary depending on the situation and may include activities such as attending school, participating in counseling, or following specific restrictions.
The Community Supervision program information explains how JPCs work with youth during supervision and how they help youth complete court requirements.
Diversion Programs
King County Juvenile Court offers diversion services that can allow some youth to avoid the formal court process. Diversion focuses on creating an agreement between the youth, family, and court staff or a Community Accountability Board.
A Diversion Agreement is personalized based on the circumstances of the referral and may include services, participation in programs, community service, or payment to a victim when applicable.
The Partnership for Youth Justice (PYJ) program is a diversion option that may be available for some first-time or low-level offenses instead of court. Community Accountability Boards work with youth and families to create agreements focused on accountability, restoration, and community support.
More details about diversion and Partnership for Youth Justice are available through the Diversion and Partnership for Youth Justice page.
Juvenile Detention Services
Juvenile Detention provides services for youth who meet detention criteria. The court uses specific criteria when determining whether a youth may be detained, including circumstances involving certain alleged offenses, warrants, safety concerns, or other court-related situations.
Some youth may be eligible for a Screen and Release process. Under this process, a judge reviews information about the arrest and decides whether the youth is released to a guardian’s custody or placed in detention.
Families who need to contact or visit a youth in detention can use approved communication options, including phone calls, video visits, and in-person visits. Youth in detention can make free phone calls to parents and guardians. Other collect calls may involve charges to the receiving party.
Visiting Youth in Detention
Parents and guardians can use video visitation to stay connected with youth in detention. Video visitation is available through Securus Video Connect and can be accessed using a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Video visits may last up to 25 minutes, and each youth may have up to six video visits per week. Only parents and guardians can schedule video visits unless other visitors receive approval from a probation counselor.
In-person visits are available for parents and legal guardians at the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center. Visits require scheduling and follow court visitation requirements.
Juvenile Court Forms
King County provides commonly used Juvenile Court forms for individuals, attorneys, and court professionals. Forms may be needed before, during, or after the juvenile court process.
Individuals can access juvenile court records online through the KC Script Portal Juvenile Offender Cases Search. Instructions for using the online portal are provided through the court’s forms resources.
To access sealed juvenile records, individuals must complete the required form and return it to the Superior Court Clerk’s Office in person.
The Commonly used Juvenile Court forms page provides official forms and record-related instructions.
Support Programs for Youth
Juvenile Court Services provides several programs designed to help youth and families address challenges connected to court involvement. Services are based on individual needs and may involve education, employment, mentoring, assessments, or family support.
Education and Employment Training
The Education Employment Training (EET) program helps young people with future planning, education goals, employment preparation, and transition to adulthood.
Services may include individualized goal setting, education support, job readiness training, employment exploration, and paid job opportunities. Youth interested in participating or being referred to EET should contact their assigned Juvenile Probation Counselor.
Juvenile Justice Assessment Team
The Juvenile Justice Assessment Team (JJAT) provides assessments and support for court-involved youth who may need help related to mental health, substance use, or psychological needs.
The team works with youth to understand their needs and connect them with appropriate services. Juvenile Probation Counselors, Truancy/ARY Case Managers, attorneys, and other court staff may refer youth to JJAT.
Additional information about this service is available through the Juvenile Justice Assessment Team page.
Resource Center Services
The Justice Bobbe J. Bridge Resource Center helps youth and families access information, programs, and support services connected with Juvenile Court. The Resource Center is located inside the Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center.
The Resource Center provides information about community-based resources, including support related to education, financial needs, basic needs, and other family services.
Families can visit the Resource Center to discuss available resources or contact the center for assistance.
Interpreter Services
King County Superior Court provides interpreter services for people who need language assistance. Individuals should let the court know they need interpretation services when calling or visiting a court location.
If an interpreter was provided for a previous King County Superior Court hearing, an interpreter will automatically be provided for the next hearing. For a first hearing with King County Superior Court, individuals may request an interpreter online through the court’s interpreter request system.
Related Juvenile Court Offices
The following offices and programs are directly connected to Juvenile Court services:
Juvenile Court Services
Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center
Justice Bobbe J. Bridge Resource Center
Juvenile Probation Counselors
Juvenile Justice Assessment Team
Diversion and Partnership for Youth Justice
Departments and Office Contacts
Juvenile Court Services
Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center
1211 East Alder Street
Seattle, WA 98122-5593
Phone: 206-263-8634
Justice Bobbe J. Bridge Resource Center
Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center
1211 East Alder Street
Seattle, WA 98122-5593
Phone: 206-263-8634
Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center
1211 East Alder Street
Seattle, WA 98122
Phone: 206-263-5992
Juvenile Court FAQs
How can families find information about a King County Juvenile Court hearing?
Families should carefully review any letter or notice received from the court because it may include the hearing date, time, or instructions about what to do next. If additional help is needed, families can review official court information through the Juvenile Court Services page. Before attending a hearing, bring any available court documents, such as court orders, summons documents, or letters from the court.
What should parents know about Juvenile Probation Counselors?
Juvenile Probation Counselors (JPCs) work with youth and families throughout the court process. A JPC meets with youth after a referral, completes assessments, helps create a plan, and connects families with appropriate services. During court proceedings, the JPC provides recommendations to the judge, while the judge makes decisions about court requirements. Community supervision requirements may include activities such as attending school, counseling, or following other court-ordered conditions.
Can a youth avoid the formal court process through diversion?
Some youth may qualify for diversion programs. Through a Diversion Agreement, youth and families work with court staff or a Community Accountability Board to create a plan based on the situation. The agreement may include services, programs, community service, or other steps designed to address the referral. More details are available on the official Diversion and Partnership for Youth Justice information page.
Where can families find Juvenile Court forms and records information?
King County provides commonly used Juvenile Court forms for individuals and court-related needs. Families can use the official forms resources to find documents needed before, during, or after court involvement. The Commonly used Juvenile Court forms page also provides information about accessing juvenile records and related forms.
What support programs are available for youth involved with Juvenile Court?
King County Juvenile Court Services provides programs that support youth goals and family needs. Available services may include education and employment assistance, assessments, mentoring, and resource support. Programs such as Education Employment Training and the Juvenile Justice Assessment Team help connect youth with planning, evaluations, and services based on individual needs.