Bellingham Lawyers For Juveniles Tried As Adults
When a teenager faces adult charges, an entire future can hinge on which court hears the case. Attorney Robert D. Butler of the Law Office of Robert D. Butler takes on that question early, drawing on more than 30 years of criminal defense practice and the perspective of a former educator.
Along the way, he and our team explain each step to families in plain terms while pushing back against the government. We also connect young clients with counseling or treatment that supports a better path forward.
Can Washington Courts Try A Juvenile As An Adult?
Yes. Washington law sends some cases straight to adult court when the accused was 16 or 17 at the time of the offense and faces one of the following charges:
- Serious violent offenses: Charges including the most severe forms of murder, assault or kidnapping
- Repeat offender allegations: Other crimes of force paired with specific prior convictions
- First-degree child rape: Intercourse allegations involving a child younger than 12
For other serious charges, a juvenile judge may hold a decline hearing and transfer the case only if adult prosecution serves the best interest of the youth or the public.
Sentencing Limits For Youth In Adult Court
A juvenile tried as an adult for violent crimes can face the same sentencing ranges as an adult, including terms of 20 years or more. However, the Washington Supreme Court requires judges to consider the mitigating qualities of youth and allows sentences below the standard range. Washington also bars life without parole for crimes committed before age 18. A person convicted of crimes committed as a minor may petition the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board for early release after serving 20 years, with some exceptions.
Paths Back To Juvenile Court
A case that begins in adult court does not always stay there. The prosecutor and defense may agree to move the case back to juvenile court with the judge’s approval, a step often called a reverse decline. If the jury acquits on the qualifying charge or convicts only on a lesser offense, the juvenile court generally handles the remaining charges. Attorney Butler pursues that transfer as part of a broader criminal defense strategy.
Protect Your Child’s Future Before The Next Hearing
Jurisdiction decisions often happen early, so act quickly. For a free consultation, call 360-325-7242 or contact our Bellingham office online.