Juvenile Court Services

COVID-19 Response

Out of concern for the health of our youth, families, staff, and the community due to COVID-19, Juvenile Court has cancelled the following in-programs until further notice:

• In-Person Detention Visitation (parents and outside agencies). 

• Coordination of Services Classes

• Education and Employment Training

• Aggression Replacement Training (virtual ART will begin end of June)

• Boys Group

• Diversion Board

• All court led community service

• CASA Training (virtual CASA training is occurring)

The entire Juvenile Services building is adhering to social distancing guidelines. Masks are required in the building. https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/Secretary_of_Health_Order_20-03_Statewide_Face_Coverings.pdf

Offender Matters:

The court is beginning to hold in-person hearings for both in custody and out of custody youth. This includes pleas and dispositions, revocation hearings, and arraignments.  

Pre-trials and trials continue to be set by agreed order without in-person hearings.

For offender matters, respondent and their attorney are the only parties expected to be in court in person. If choosing to appear in person, please respect social distancing guidelines and masks are  required.

Civil Matters:

All Truancy matters have been stricken for the 2019-2020 school year.

At-Risk Youth and CHINS hearings are back to their regular Monday, Wednesday, and Friday court schedule. 

At-Risk Youth and CHINS contested trials are being heard. 

As of June 1st, new petitions, new contempt motions, and contested trials have resumed for At-risk Youth and CHINS.

All Dependency hearings will be held via Zoom. 

All civil matters will continue to be handled as much as possible with phone hearings, working toward Zoom hearings. If choosing to appear in person, please respect social distancing guidelines and masks are required.

We are making every effort to ensure healthy conditions for youth in our detention facility. To do this, we are following set protocols determined by our Medical Provider in conjunction with guidelines from the Spokane County Health Officer and the CDC.

Medical staff assess each youth for signs of illness through a physical assessment and temperature checks. If a youth shows symptoms of COVID-19, he/she would be placed in medical isolation, provided emotional support and necessary medical care by our providers, to include testing. Personal protective equipment and infection control measures such as increased disinfection will be used to minimize the risk of virus transmission.

The Medical Director will be the point of contact for all youth health care needs and will consult with the Spokane Regional Health District for guidance.

Daily cleaning and disinfecting is being done throughout the juvenile court building, including the detention center.

All detention visitation with parents/guardians and outside agencies will be done telephonically. 

Educational (school) programming is conducted via video conferencing by NEWEDS101 staff and with support from juvenile corrections officers.

We want you to know that Spokane County Juvenile Court continues to ensure the youth and families we work with have the support they need at all times and especially during this uncertainty.

COVID-19 Emergency Coordination Center: Resource Guide

COVID-19 Resource Guide

We have staff working remotely and in the building continuing our mission of promoting public safety, accountability, and positive change.

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