Washington State Adopts New Juvenile Justice Diversion Law

On March 15, 2018, Washington State Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation to implement a new juvenile justice diversion program. The law, Washington Senate Bill (SB) 6550 of 2018, goes into effect on June 7, 2018. The legislation expands the types of cases that would be eligible for diversion, and will allow records to be sealed for youth whose cases are diverted. It also calls for more community-based options so that youth can receive services closer to home.

The provisions of SB 6550 revise the state’s Juvenile Justice Act of 1977 as follows:

Allow prosecutors more discretion to file . . .