Juvenile Court

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and public health mandates to reduce in-person gatherings, in mid-March 2020, the Clark Children & Family Justice Center (the Courthouse) limited offender operations to “essential matters” only, which were conducted in one courtroom for approximately 45 days.  In May 2020, as the situation improved, and consistent with public health guidelines, the Courthouse gradually increased the number and type of hearings it conducted.

Beginning July 13, 2020, and continuing to the present, the following procedures will operate at the Courthouse:

Health and Safety Measures in all CCFJC Courtrooms

• The Court actively encourages participation by telephone or video, as permitted by law. Please contact your attorney or the appropriate Court at the number below.

• All participants and members of the public are required to wear masks or facial coverings unless:
  • You are prevented for doing so for medical or ADA reasons;
  • You are a child under age 5; or
  • A Judge permits you to temporarily remove the mask to facilitate clear articulation and recording of the proceedings.

The Court will have masks available for use free of charge.

• Social distancing is required as follows:
  • For those that appear in person, members of the public may congregate and sit only in designated spaces.
  • In-court seating priority will be given to family members of the parties involved in the proceeding.
  • If courtroom seating is insufficient to accommodate all who wish to attend, arrangements can be made to live-stream proceedings to another location at the CCFJC or to participate by video or audio. To the extent possible, alternative accommodations must be made in advance of the proceeding.
  • Members of the media are encouraged to contact the assigned judge’s bailiff to arrange for media participation in advance of any hearing they would like to attend.

• Other measures:
  • Courthouse personnel are sanitizing surface space regularly.
  • The Court will have hand sanitizer and disinfecting cleaning supplies in all public areas, including courtrooms for the public’s use.

Courtroom Operations

• The Juvenile Offender calendar operates in two courtrooms (3C/3D), except for Monday morning and Friday morning when the courtrooms are closed.

• Juvenile Offender calendars are assigned on a geographic basis as follows:
• Courtroom 3C generally covers the north end of the County
• Courtroom 3D generally covers the south end of the County
• Please note that courtroom locations may change for various reasons. Please contact the assigned judge’s bailiff to determine the exact location of each calendar on a given day.

• Seattle-based ARY (At-Risk Youth), CHINS (Children in Need of Services) and Truancy calendars are heard in 3C on Monday afternoons.  Truancy Calendars are the last Monday afternoons of the month.
  

• Again, the Court encourages all possible hearings to be conducted remotely.

• Community supervision of youth will continue, primarily through telephone and electronic modalities. Person-to-person supervision will increase over time with public health measures being observed.

Contact Information for Further Inquiries

• When Resource Center staff and community partners are not physically present at the CCFJC, they are available by telephone (206-263-8634) and email (SCResourceCenter@kingcounty.gov).

• To schedule or attend a hearing being held remotely, or if you have questions about scheduling or attending an in-person hearing, contact the following:
  • North End/Judge Rothrock/3C: Court3C@kingcounty.gov. Alternative contact information is rothrock.court@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-1423.
  • South End/Judge Lee/3D: Court3D@kingcounty.gov.  Alternative contact information is lee.court@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-1441.
    
  • For Seattle-based ARY, CHINS and Truancy matters: Chief Judge Averil Rothrock, 206-477-1423, email rothrock.court@kingcounty.gov or Seattle-area Case Manager Karen Chapman, 206- 477-4946, (karen.chapman@kingcounty.gov)