What happens if a juvenile fails to appear in court?

In Washington, a juvenile who fails to appear in court may receive a warrant for their arrest. This means that the police will be able to detain them if they are found in public. When they are arrested, they will be brought to court to explain why they failed to appear. Depending on the severity of the offense or the amount of times they have failed to appear, the consequence could be as little as a warning from the judge, or it could be a fine, probation, or even a sentence in juvenile detention. If the juvenile is a minor, the case will be transferred to the juvenile court, otherwise it will stay within the adult court system. The judge will take into account the juvenile’s age and the severity of the offense when deciding a punishment. For example, if the juvenile was required to appear in court for a minor infraction, such as jaywalking, they may only receive a warning or a fine. However, if the offense is more severe, such as a DUI, they may receive probation, detention, or other court-ordered consequences. In addition to whatever punishment the court orders, failing to appear in court can lead to severe damage to the juvenile’s character and reputation. The judge may take a harsher stance against the juvenile out of a lack of respect due to their failure to appear in court. Therefore, it is important for juveniles facing legal charges to appear at the designated court dates.

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What happens if a juvenile fails to appear in court?

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