Wash. Rev. Code » Title 13 · Chapter 13.32A
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 13.32A.250 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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(1) In all child in need of services proceedings and at-risk youth proceedings, the court shall verbally notify the parents and the child of the possibility of a finding of contempt for failure to comply with the terms of a court order entered pursuant to this chapter and the possible consequences thereof, including confinement when applicable. Except as otherwise provided in this section, the court shall treat the parents and the child equally for the purposes of applying contempt of court processes and penalties under this section.
(2) Failure by a party in an at-risk youth proceeding to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a civil contempt of court as provided in RCW 7.21.030(2)(e), subject to the limitations of subsection (3) of this section.
(3) For at-risk youth proceedings only:
(a) If the child fails to comply with the court order, the court may impose:
(i) Community restitution;
(ii) Residential and nonresidential programs with intensive wraparound services;
(iii) A requirement that the child meet with a mentor for a specified number of times; or
(iv) Other services and interventions that the court deems appropriate.
(b)(i) The court may impose remedial sanctions including a fine of up to one hundred dollars and confinement to a secure residential program with intensive wraparound services, or both for contempt of court under this section if (A) one of the less restrictive alternatives under (a) of this subsection has been attempted and another violation of the order has occurred, or (B) the court issues a formal finding that none of the less restrictive alternatives is available.
(ii) A child placed in confinement for contempt under this section may be placed in a secure crisis residential center or any program approved by the department offering secure confinement and intensive wraparound services appropriate to the needs of the child. The child may not be placed in a detention facility as defined in RCW 13.40.020. Secure residential programs with intensive wraparound services as used in this section may be defined as secure juvenile correctional facilities for the purposes of federal law only.
(c) A child involved in a child in need of services proceeding may not be placed in confinement under this section.
(4) A motion for contempt may be made by a parent, a child, juvenile court personnel, or by any public agency, organization, or person having custody of the child under a court order adopted pursuant to this chapter.
(5) For at-risk youth proceedings only, whenever the court finds probable cause to believe, based upon consideration of a motion for contempt and the information set forth in a supporting declaration, that a child has violated a placement order entered under this chapter, the court must direct the court clerk to command the presence of the child by the issuance of a summons or other method approved by local court rule instead of a warrant, unless the court finds probable cause to believe that the child would not appear in response to the command or finds probable cause to believe that the arrest is necessary to prevent serious bodily harm to the juvenile or another, in which case the court may issue a warrant. A warrant of arrest must be supported by an affidavit or sworn testimony, which must be recorded electronically or by stenographer, establishing the grounds for issuing the warrant. The warrant of arrest for a child under this subsection may not be served on a child inside of school during school hours in a location where other students are present if the child named in the warrant is a pupil at the school. The court must communicate the summons to the child through mail, telephone, text message, or other method of communication needed in order to ensure the child has received the information. If the child fails to appear via the summons or other method, the court may issue an order directing law enforcement to pick up and take the child to detention.
(6) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the court's inherent contempt power or curtail its exercise.
[ 2019 c 312 s 9; 2019 c 312 s 8; 2019 c 312 s 7; 2000 c 162 s 14; 2000 c 162 s 4; 1998 c 296 s 37; 1996 c 133 s 28; 1995 c 312 s 29; 1990 c 276 s 16. Prior: 1989 c 373 s 16; 1989 c 269 s 4; 1981 c 298 s 14.]

Notes:

Effective date—2019 c 312 ss 6 and 9: See note following RCW 7.21.030.
Effective date—2019 c 312 ss 4, 8, and 12: See note following RCW 7.21.030.
Effective date—Findings—Intent—2019 c 312: See notes following RCW 7.21.080.
Effective date—2000 c 162 ss 11-17: See note following RCW 43.185C.265.
Findings—Intent—Part headings not law—Short title—1998 c 296: See notes following RCW 74.13.025.
Findings—Short title—Intent—Construction—1996 c 133: See notes following RCW 13.32A.197.
Short title—1995 c 312: See note following RCW 13.32A.010.
Intent—1990 c 276: See RCW 13.32A.015.
Conflict with federal requirements—Severability—1990 c 276: See notes following RCW 13.32A.020.
Severability—1981 c 298: See note following RCW 13.32A.040.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 28 cases, 1984–2014 · leading case: In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000).
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In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 17× “Constitutionality of Juvenile Contempt Statutes As set forth above, contempt for violations of CHINS or ARY dispositional orders is governed by RCW 13.32A.250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.”
In re the Interest of M.B., 101 Wash. App. 425 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 17× “Constitutionality of Juvenile Contempt Statutes As set forth above, contempt for violations of CHINS or ARY dispositional orders is governed by RCW 13.32A.250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.”
State v. Buckley, 924 P.2d 40 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). · cites it 12× “RCW 13.32A.250 provides in part: (2) Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.”
State v. A.L.H., 64 P.3d 1262 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 5× “(concurring) — I concur with the majority’s ruling that RCW 13.32A.250 created an exclusive remedy to enforce violations of at-risk youth (ARY) *165 petitions and, thus, precludes the State from filing criminal contempt charges for ARY violations.”
In Re Interest of ADF, 943 P.2d 689 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 5× “argues the juvenile court’s contempt powers under RCW 13.32A.250 are criminal rather than civil in nature.”
In Re Dependency of AK, 174 P.3d 11 (Wash. 2007). · cites it 2× “As amended in 1998, the ARY contempt statute provided, "Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a civil contempt of court as provided in RCW 7.”
In re the Dependency of A.K., 162 Wash. 2d 632 (Wash. 2007). · cites it 2× “As amended in 1998, the ARY contempt statute provided, “Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a civil contempt of court as provided in RCW 7.”
In Re the Welfare of K.L., 942 P.2d 1052 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 8× “1 *577 ANALYSIS RCW 13.32A.250 provides in subsection (2) that failure to comply with the conditions of an ARY order "is a contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.”
In re the Interest of Silva, 166 Wash. 2d 133 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 2× “The correct authority is the ARY contempt statute, RCW 13.32A.250. Inpatient treatment is an invalid purge condition on an otherwise punitive sanction.”
In Re Silva, 206 P.3d 1240 (Wash. 2009). · cites it 2× “[4] The correct authority is the ARY contempt statute, RCW 13.32A.250. [5] Inpatient treatment is an invalid purge condition on an otherwise punitive sanction.”
State v. Steinbach, 679 P.2d 369 (Wash. 1984). · cites it 2× “Our conclusion that Terri was improperly convicted under the burglary statute makes it unnecessary to reach Terri's second assignment of error regarding the concurrency of the burglary statute and RCW 13.32A.250. Petitioner's conviction is reversed.”
In Re Eaton, 757 P.2d 961 (Wash. 1988). “On February 20, 1986, pursuant to RCW 13.32A.250 and RCW 7.20.040 et seq., the juvenile court found DSHS in contempt for violating the order that it place Eaton at Secret Harbor.”
Show all 28 citing cases →
— Wash. Rev. Code § 13.32A.250(1) — 2 cases
In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “Constitutionality of Juvenile Contempt Statutes As set forth above, contempt for violations of CHINS or ARY dispositional orders is governed by RCW 13.32A.250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.”
In re the Interest of M.B., 101 Wash. App. 425 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “Constitutionality of Juvenile Contempt Statutes As set forth above, contempt for violations of CHINS or ARY dispositional orders is governed by RCW 13.32A.250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 13.32A.250(2) — 14 cases
In Re Dependency of AK, 174 P.3d 11 (Wash. 2007). “As amended in 1998, the ARY contempt statute provided, "Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a civil contempt of court as provided in RCW 7.”
In re the Dependency of A.K., 162 Wash. 2d 632 (Wash. 2007). “As amended in 1998, the ARY contempt statute provided, “Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a civil contempt of court as provided in RCW 7.”
State v. A.L.H., 64 P.3d 1262 (Wash. Ct. App. 2003). “(concurring) — I concur with the majority’s ruling that RCW 13.32A.250 created an exclusive remedy to enforce violations of at-risk youth (ARY) *165 petitions and, thus, precludes the State from filing criminal contempt charges for ARY violations.”
State v. Buckley, 924 P.2d 40 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “RCW 13.32A.250 provides in part: (2) Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.”
In re the Interest of Silva, 166 Wash. 2d 133 (Wash. 2009). “The correct authority is the ARY contempt statute, RCW 13.32A.250. Inpatient treatment is an invalid purge condition on an otherwise punitive sanction.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 13.32A.250(2)(3) — 1 case
In Re Mg, 11 P.3d 335 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 13.32A.250(3) — 8 cases
In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “Constitutionality of Juvenile Contempt Statutes As set forth above, contempt for violations of CHINS or ARY dispositional orders is governed by RCW 13.32A.250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.”
In re the Interest of M.B., 101 Wash. App. 425 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “Constitutionality of Juvenile Contempt Statutes As set forth above, contempt for violations of CHINS or ARY dispositional orders is governed by RCW 13.32A.250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.”
In Re Interest of ADF, 943 P.2d 689 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). “argues the juvenile court’s contempt powers under RCW 13.32A.250 are criminal rather than civil in nature.”
State v. Buckley, 924 P.2d 40 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “RCW 13.32A.250 provides in part: (2) Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.”
In Re Nm, 7 P.3d 878 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000).
— Wash. Rev. Code § 13.32A.250(4) — 2 cases
In Re Mb, 3 P.3d 780 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “Constitutionality of Juvenile Contempt Statutes As set forth above, contempt for violations of CHINS or ARY dispositional orders is governed by RCW 13.32A.250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.”
In re the Interest of M.B., 101 Wash. App. 425 (Wash. Ct. App. 2000). “Constitutionality of Juvenile Contempt Statutes As set forth above, contempt for violations of CHINS or ARY dispositional orders is governed by RCW 13.32A.250, and contempt for truancy order violations is governed by RCW 28A.”
— Wash. Rev. Code § 13.32A.250(5) — 3 cases
State v. Buckley, 924 P.2d 40 (Wash. Ct. App. 1996). “RCW 13.32A.250 provides in part: (2) Failure by a party to comply with an order entered under this chapter is a contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.”
In Re Interest of ADF, 943 P.2d 689 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). “argues the juvenile court’s contempt powers under RCW 13.32A.250 are criminal rather than civil in nature.”
In Re the Welfare of K.L., 942 P.2d 1052 (Wash. Ct. App. 1997). “1 *577 ANALYSIS RCW 13.32A.250 provides in subsection (2) that failure to comply with the conditions of an ARY order "is a contempt of court as provided in chapter 7.”
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