Preparing for court
These steps help you get ready for your court hearings.
Give a copy of the notice of hearing and petition to your child as soon as possible after you file the case.
If your child is a runaway and you cannot locate them, appear for the scheduled fact finding hearing and tell the court. The court may issue a warrant for your child’s arrest.
Fact finding hearing
The fact finding hearing is to decide if your child is an At Risk Youth or a Child in Need of Services, as defined by law.
At the hearing, explain why you are coming to the court and what you want the court to do. It is a good idea to prepare what you want to say in writing.
Disposition hearing
If the court finds that your child is an At Risk Youth or a Child in Need of Services, the court will schedule a disposition hearing. Disposition hearings generally take place two weeks after the fact finding hearing ends.
At the disposition hearing, you and your child can present any evidence about your child’s behavior and problems. You can also ask for specific requirements in the court order.
The court may enter a temporary order to help control your child’s behavior between hearings, depending on the situation.
Review hearings
Review hearings are generally scheduled about 3 months after the disposition hearing.
Contempt hearings
If your child does not cooperate with the court order, you may, at any time, request a contempt or show cause hearing.
You should keep a written list of violations. Include the behavior, the date, and the time. When there are either a significant number of violations or a serious violation, you should request a contempt hearing.
To request a contempt hearing, complete: 1) a Contempt Motion, 2) a Contempt Hearing Notice, and 3) a Confidential Information Form.
Submit (file) all 3 forms at the Skagit County Clerk's Office on the first floor of the county courthouse. You must submit all forms between 8:30 am and 12:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Normally, the court will schedule you before the daily Ex-Parte calendar, Monday through Friday, which starts at 1:15 pm. The judge or court commissioner will review the motion and then schedule a hearing date.
After the hearing, if the court approves the motion, go to the Clerk's Office. Request 3 copies each of the motion and notice of hearing. One set is for you to keep. Give the second set (serve) to the youth in question, if possible. Take the third set to the Public Defender's Office, Juvenile Division.
Duration of orders
A Child in Need of Services case can be dismissed after three months if your child cooperates. If your child does not cooperate, the court can extend the order for up to six more months.
