Petition for Deferred Prosecution

Petition for Deferred Prosecution of Criminal Mistreatment Charge (DPPF)

Court of Washington

I am the defendant in this case and I petition the court for deferred prosecution of a criminal mistreatment charge under RCW Chapter 10.05. Following are my statements in support of this petition:

1. I am the natural or adoptive parent of the alleged victim.

2. The wrongful conduct charged is the result of parenting problems for which I am in need of services.

3. I am in need of child welfare services under chapter 74.13 RCW to improve my parenting skills in order to better provide my child(ren) with the basic necessities of life.

4. I want to correct my conduct to reduce the likelihood of harm to my child(ren).

5. I have cooperated with the Department of Social and Health Services to develop a plan to receive appropriate child welfare services.

6. I agree to pay the cost of the services if I am financially able to do so.

7. I understand that the court will not accept a petition for deferred prosecution from me if I sincerely believe that I am innocent of the crime(s) or if I sincerely believe that I do not need child welfare services.

8. I have not previously been placed on a deferred prosecution for a Chapter 9A.42 RCW or similar municipal ordinance violation.

9. The Department of Social and Health Services’ case history and child welfare service plan have been filed with this petition as required by RCW 10.05.020.

10. I have the following rights:

(a) to have a lawyer represent me at all hearings;

(b) to have a lawyer appointed at public expense if I cannot afford one;

(c) to have a speedy, public jury trial;

(d) to appeal any conviction;

(e) to remain silent and not testify;

(f) to question witnesses who testify against me;

(g) to call witnesses to testify for me, at no cost;

(h) to be presumed innocent unless the charge(s) against me is (are) proved beyond a reasonable doubt;

(i) to present evidence and a defense. By deferring prosecution on these charges, I understand I give up my right to:

(a) a speedy trial;

(b) a jury;

(c) testify on my own behalf;

(d) call and (e) question witnesses; and

(f) present evidence or a defense.

11. I agree that the facts as reported in the attached police reports are admissible in evidence and are sufficient to support conviction for the charged crime(s). I acknowledge that the above items will be used to support a finding of guilty if the deferred prosecution is revoked.

12. If my deferred prosecution is revoked and I am found guilty, I may be sentenced up to the maximum penalty allowed by law.

13. If I proceed to trial and I am found guilty, I may be allowed to seek suspension of some or all fines and incarceration if I seek treatment. I understand that I may seek treatment from a public or private agency at any time, whether or not I have been found guilty or placed on deferred prosecution.

14. If the court defers prosecution on any crime that would be a violation of a state law or local ordinance relating to motor vehicle traffic control, I will be disqualified from driving a commercial motor vehicle for the period specified in RCW 46.25.090, and if I drive a commercial motor vehicle holding a license issued by Washington State, I will be required to notify the Department of Licensing and my employer of this deferred prosecution within 30 days of the judge granting this petition. RCW 46.25.030. If the court grants this petition, I may not operate a motor vehicle on the public highways without a valid operator’s license and proof of liability insurance pursuant to RCW 46.29.490. If my parenting problems and resulting wrongful conduct are based on alcohol dependency, I shall also be required to install an ignition interlock device under RCW 46.20.720. The required periods of interlock use shall be not less than the periods provided for in RCW 46.20.720, and subject to certification from the ignition interlock device vendor. RCW 46.20.720(4). I may also be required to pay restitution to victims, pay court costs, and pay probation costs authorized by law. To help ensure continued sobriety and reduce the likelihood of reoffense, the court may order reasonable conditions during the period of the deferred prosecution including, but not limited to, attendance at self-help recovery support groups for alcoholism or drugs, complete abstinence from alcohol and all nonprescribed mind-altering drugs, periodic urinalysis or breath analysis, and maintaining law-abiding behavior. Substance use disorder treatment programs shall require a minimum of two self-help recovery groups per week for the duration of the treatment program. The court may terminate the deferred prosecution program if I violate this paragraph.

15. If the court grants this petition, during the period of deferred prosecution I will be required to contact my probation officer, the probation director or designee, or the court if there is no probation department, to request permission to travel or transfer to another state if my wrongful conduct involves: (i) an offense in which a person has incurred direct or threatened physical or psychological harm; (ii) an offense that involves the use or possession of a firearm; (iii) a second or subsequent misdemeanor offense of driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol; (iv) a sexual offense that requires me to register as a sex offender in Washington state. I understand that I will be required to pay an application fee with my travel or transfer request.

16. If I fail or neglect to comply with any part of my service plan, or with any ignition interlock device requirements, the court will hold a hearing to determine whether I should be removed from the deferred prosecution program. The termination of my parental rights with regard to the alleged victim due to abuse or neglect that occurred during the pendency of the deferred prosecution shall be per se evidence that I did not successfully complete the service plan. After the hearing, the court will either order that I continue with treatment or be removed from deferred prosecution and enter judgment. If I am convicted of a similar offense during the deferred prosecution, the court will revoke the deferred prosecution and enter judgment.

17. If the court grants my petition, the court will dismiss the charge(s) against me in this case when the court receives proof that I have successfully completed the child welfare service plan, or the service plan has been terminated because the alleged victim has reached his or her majority and there are no other minor children in the home.

I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the state of Washington that I have read the foregoing and agree with all of its provisions and that all statements made are true and correct.