Bothell Youth Court

Bothell Youth Court is a community-based intervention and prevention program that provides an alternative response to the adult municipal court for first-time, traffic infraction offenders. Youth are empowered to determine the appropriate sanctions for their peers and to hold them accountable for their actions. The program provides educational services and hands-on experience in the judicial system to promote and increase coping skills that lead to enhanced public safety and creates future leaders. Youth Court meets at Bothell Municipal Court from 6 - 8 p.m. on the second Monday of each month, September through June.

Youth Court seeks youth volunteers

The Youth Court seeks youth volunteers who are interested in becoming civically engaged with the court system. Meeting once a month, Bothell Youth Court is presided over by a youth judge, witnessed by an all-youth jury, and cases are presented by youth attorneys. See the Bothell Youth Court website for more information or email the Youth Court.

Qualifications for youth traffic offenders to participate in Youth Court

Are you are a high school student who has recently received a traffic infraction? Are you looking for a way to keep your driving record clean? Youth court may be what you're looking for. To qualify for Bothell Youth Court:

You must be a current high school student
The case must not be a negligent driving
You can not have had a deferral or youth court case before
You can not contest the infraction

The Ultimate Jury of Your Peers

At the Youth Court you will appear before a judge and jury of your peers to explain the circumstances of your infraction. You may be able to have witnesses testify on your behalf. The teen jury will then decide on an equitable consequence which may include, but is not restricted to:

Community service
Writing a letter of apology or an essay
Going on a police ride-along
Participating in Street Law curriculum
Serving on a Youth Court panel

There is a 6 month deferral period for each case, after which, if all conditions have been completed successfully, the charge will be dismissed. If you feel that you may qualify for Youth Court, you will need to fill out an application, and submit to the court with a $30 transfer fee. If you have any questions, please call the court at 425-487-5587.