Frequently Asked Questions 


  1. My child is not going to school, what can I do?

  2. My child uses drugs or alcohol.  Where can I go to get help?

  3. How do I make after hours contact with the Juvenile Department?

  4. I am the victim of a juvenile offender. With whom can I talk to learn what is happening with my case?

  5. Is it possible to have my child placed in detention?

  6. Can my child's record be destroyed at some point?

  7. My child was involved in a law violation. What will happen to him/her?

  8. How do I get a court appointed attorney for my child?

  9. Do I, as the parent, have the right to a court appointed attorney?

  10. How long does probation last?

  11. My child is out of control. What can I do?

  12. My child ran away. What will happen?

  13. I am a runaway. What can I do?

  14. Is a juvenile record confidential?

  15. What is a Status Offense?

  16. What is a Delinquent Act?

  17. I received a citation for Minor in Possession of Alcohol, will I loose my drivers license?

  18. Where do I take my child to get a drug and alcohol evaluation?

 

 

1.  My child is not going to school, what can I do?

Your child's education is important! A good place to start is by scheduling a meeting with your school's administrator. Between the two parties, try to identify and address all reasonable barriers to your child's success. For example, if you find that your child is embarrassed about dressing down for physical education classes, you might ask the administrator for a recommendation, or for options. Your child may be the victim of a bully, explore this option. Communicate regularly, and work closely as a team with your child's school.

A long history of trying to respond to this problem has taught juvenile counselors that success, if it is going to occur, requires a commitment from all concerned parties. Engaging the support of friends, other family members, school authorities, your local police department and, if a juvenile department counselor has been assigned for a different reason, is a good place to start. As you take on this task, commitment, good communication and coordination is necessary on your part. Some parents go to school- regardless of their child's age - and attend class on a daily basis until their child gets the message. top

 

2.  My child uses drugs or alcohol.  Where can I go to get help?

Of course, any illegal drug or alcohol use by a child or adolescent is reason for alarm. Whether it is your child's first attempt or there have been other occasions, now is the time to intervene and get help from a professional. The level of use is broken down into five categories:

1) Experimental use (one time use),

2) Social use (two or more incidents, very irregular use and possibly some negative consequences.),

3) Habitual use (regular use, daily, weekly, or monthly and possibly some negative consequences),

4) Abuse (regular use and has experienced negative consequences associated with its use), and

5) Addiction (regular use, has experienced significant consequences associated with its use, has difficulty stopping, and may be in denial).

The form of help you obtain should depend on your child's level of use issues. Your first step should be to obtain a drug and alcohol assessment from a professional who is qualified to perform drug and alcohol assessments.  For local drug and alcohol counselors, click here.  

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3.  How do I make after hours contact with the Juvenile Department?

The normal hours for the Skamania County Juvenile Department are from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.  If you have an after hours issue requiring immediate assistance (i.e. a crime to report, a runaway, etc.) you can call the Skamania County Sheriff's Office at (509)427-9490.  You can also leave a message at the Juvenile Department and your call will be returned the following business day.  top

 

4.  I am the victim of a juvenile offender. With whom can I talk to learn what is happening with my

case?

After the police officer has taken the report, it is sent to the juvenile department. Once the report is received at the Juvenile Department and entered into the data system, there is a Juvenile Counselor assigned. You may contact the Juvenile Department @ 509-427-3715 and ask to speak with the Juvenile Counselor assigned. top

 

5.  Is it possible to have my child placed in detention?

Only the court can authorize placement of a youth into a juvenile detention facility. There are strict legal criteria outlining when a juvenile offender is eligible for detention. A parent cannot have their child placed in detention.  top

 

6.  Can my child's record be destroyed at some point?  See (Sealing Records)

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7.  My child was involved in a law violation. What will happen to him/her?

If your child has been involved in a law violation, it is up to a law enforcement agency to investigate. If they find probable cause to believe that a crime was committed, they will forward their police report to the juvenile department. The case will be assigned to a juvenile department counselor who will be responsible to manage the case. The Prosecuting Attorney will review the report and decide how to proceed with the case.  If it is decided that a law has been violated, the youth will either be referred to Diversion or to Court to be sanctioned.  top

 

8.  How do I get a court appointed attorney for my child?

If your child is referred to court, a court appointed attorney will automatically be assigned.  You will receive notice in the mail stating who has been appointed to your child's case.

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9.  Do I, as the parent, have the right to a court appointed attorney?

As the parent of a child involved in a delinquent act, you are not eligible for a court appointed attorney. You may, however, obtain an attorney to represent your interests if you think it is necessary.  top

 

10.  How long does probation last?

Probation is imposed by a judge.  The length of time depends on the seriousness of the offense, the need for supervision, and the youth's compliance with the conditions of probation.  In determining the initial probation time, the Skamania County Juvenile Court uses a sentencing matrix which takes into consideration the youth's charge(s) and criminal history.  top

 

11.  My child is out of control, what can I do?

This question is probably the most frequent asked of all questions at the Juvenile Department. Unfortunately this is probably the one question which is least likely to have a well specified answer. At the Juvenile Department we see a variety of definitions for the phrase "out of control". On one hand some parents complain of defiance and noncompliance and on the other hand some parents report stories where their home has been severely damaged and they are fearful for their lives. If the "out of control" problem roots from the youth wanting to be more independent, your approach is likely to be very different than if the problem stems from a mental health concern, i.e., Conduct Disorder or Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder. It is advisable to talk with a professional, such as a family physician or counselor, as soon as possible. A remedy for this sort of problem will be more successful if it is dealt with in its early development stages.

There are several ways to approach the problem of an out of control child. The following are some ideas which might prove helpful:

Having an out of control child is both frustrating and humbling. Probably most frustration comes from the inability to force the child to do what is right and behave in an acceptable fashion. Be careful how you respond. It is not advisable that you let your child rule your home or come and go as he or she pleases. These conflicts, especially with a teen, can have a profound affect on family relations for years to come. Think through your family rules. Be sure to know which rules are mandatory (nonnegotiable) and which ones are negotiable. It is possible that some form of empowerment may be the "out" your child is looking for. Recognize that most "out of control" youth are engaging in a power struggle. Think through a plan to prevent a progressive escalation of this power struggle.  top

12.  My child ran away, what will happen?

If you are certain your child ran away you can call the Skamania County Sheriff's Department at (509)427-9490 and file a runaway report.  If your child is taken into custody by a police officer, the first hope is to try and return your child to his or her home. There are some situations where returning a runaway to his or her home is not safe and your child's safety is our greatest concern.  If a child is taken into custody, parents are contacted as soon as possible. 

Please be advised, if your child has only been taken into custody for runaway he will NOT be placed in detention.  top

 

13.  I am a runaway. What can I do?

Being a runaway is an indication of turmoil within your home. Sometimes the problems stem from your choices, sometimes from your parent or guardian actions , some combination of the two, or even some other cause. Rather than finding a place for blame, the focus is on trying to solve the problem(s) or at least reduce the tension in the home enough so that it is once again livable. Of course there are some situations where returning a runaway to his or her home is not safe and your safety is our greatest concern.  You can contact DSHS or the Sheriff's Office for help.

If you are a runaway and a police report has been filed, you should either return home or turn yourself in. You can turn yourself in to any police officer. If the police find you first, you will be taken into custody. Once you are in custody, you will be taken home.

Please be advised, if you have only been taken into custody for runaway you will NOT be placed in detention.  top

 

14.  Is a juvenile record confidential?

Some parts of a juvenile record are confidential and some parts are not confidential. Generally a juvenile record consists of two parts, social and legal. The social file includes reports and materials relating to the child's or youth's history and prognosis and are considered privileged. This information is not to be disclosed directly or indirectly to anyone other than the judge of the juvenile court, those acting under the judge's direction, and to the attorneys of record.  

Information in the legal file which can be released includes the name and date of birth of the child or youth, the basis for the juvenile court's jurisdiction over the child or youth, date, time and place of any juvenile court proceeding in which the child or youth is involved, the act alleged by the youth, and that portion of the juvenile court order providing for the legal disposition of the charge.  The legal record holder is the Superior Court Clerk's Office.  top

 

15.  What is a Status Offense?

A status offense is a law violation, (not a delinquency, crime or violation) which only applies to juveniles. For example, curfew is a status offense. A juvenile can commit the status offense of violating curfew but adults, (those over 18) can, all things being equal, stay out all night long if they so wish. Other examples of status offenses include:

16.  What is a Delinquent Act?

A delinquent act is a law violation which if done by an adult (someone 18 years old or older) would be a crime. For example, if an adult steals a car and is convicted he or she is thought of as someone who has committed a crime and to be a criminal. A juvenile who steals a car and is convicted is thought of as someone who has committed a delinquent act, (an act which would be a crime if he or she were an adult.), and to be a delinquent.

Youth's who commit delinquent acts are thought of as more serious offenders than status offenders.  top

 

17.  I received a citation for Minor in Possession of Alcohol, will I loose my drivers license? 

Yes. If you are age 13 through 17 and convicted of a first alcohol violation, or age 13 through 20 and convicted of a first drug violation, your driving privilege will be revoked for 1 year or until age 17, whichever is longer.  

For a second offense your driving privilege will be revoked for 2 years, or until age 18, whichever is longer.  

You will not be able to obtain a license/instruction permit or take driver education during the revocation period.  When you are eligible to reinstate your driving privilege, you must have parental consent and take the written and drive tests.  You will also need to pay a $20 reissue fee in addition to the usual testing and licensing fees.  top

 

18.  Where do I take my child to get a drug and alcohol evaluation?

Skamania County Counseling Center: (509) 427-3850

Lifeline Connections: (360) 696-1631    

Crossroads:  Stevenson:  (509) 427-7100         

                    Washougal: (360) 835-1046

 

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