Tommy P. v. Board of County Commissioners

The Spokane County Board of Commissioners appeals a declaratory judgment that the plaintiff class of all juveniles of compulsory school age who are or will be placed in the Spokane Juvenile Detention facility is entitled to education while in detention, and that such education shall be funded by the county.

We hold that, under the provisions of RCW Titles 13 and 28A, juveniles of school age have a right to education while detained in juvenile detention centers, both before and after adjudication and disposition. We hold further that the costs of providing such education to juvenile detainees…