Mistakes and lapses in judgments are important learning opportunities for teenagers on the path to adulthood. For many Washington teens, those mistakes have little effect on their futures. Unfortunately, others are not so fortunate and face charges as teenage offenders. One such example includes two minors who were recently arrested and booked into a juvenile detention center.
On July 5, 2020, firefighters and police responded to a second alarm fire at an elementary school. Firefighters spent several hours extinguishing the blaze, and nearby residents were asked to remain in their homes to avoid inhaling smoke. No one suffered any injuries in the fire. However, police did say that the fire significantly damaged the school building.
Authorities claim that two 15-year-old boys were responsible for starting the fire. The same morning of the fire, the two teens were reportedly tossing fireworks into some trash cans located outside of the school. The contents of one of the cans caught fire, which eventually spread to the school building, setting it ablaze as well. It is not clear how police determined that the two boys were involved, but both were arrested on first degree arson charges.
Waiting in a juvenile detention center can be overwhelming for teenage offenders and parents alike. There is usually a lot of confusion about how the juvenile system works and worry about what the future holds. Rather than maneuver blindly through this process, parents may want to consider reaching out to an attorney who is experienced in Washington state juvenile law.