Criminal Division Overview

The attorneys in this unit handle appeals in the Court of Appeals, the Washington State Supreme Court and the United States Supreme Court. These attorneys also advise on complex legal issues that arise in the trial courts.

Appellate Unit: 206-477-9497

CSU serves as a centralized hub for the collection and sharing of illegal shooting data throughout the County. While firearm homicides are generally known and tracked, nonfatal shootings and shootings not resulting in injury have not historically been tracked in a uniform manner. Not every agency routinely collects this data, and those that do have different definitions, coding mechanisms, and records management systems. As a result, the collection, cleaning, and standardization of this data by the CSU crime analyst is incredibly time and labor intensive.

In the context of illegal shootings, a public health approach addresses the questions of who is being shot; why are they being shot; and how can we prevent future shootings. Those are the questions that CSU has been working to answer and those which we hope to continue to work to address moving forward.

Click here to read more about CSU

The District Court Unit is responsible for screening and prosecuting all criminal traffic and misdemeanor cases arising in unincorporated King County. It also handles appeals to the Superior Court from convictions in District Court.

To contact District Court call:

• Seattle - West Division: 206-477-1290

• MRJC - South Division: 206-477-2060

• Redmond - East Division: 206-477-3150
  

Contact Information for Infraction Discovery Requests

In the 1990s, the number of domestic violence felony cases in King County doubled from approximately 740 in 1994 to over 1500 in 1999. In response to this alarming trend, the King County Prosecutor's Office created the Domestic Violence Unit in early 2000. Organized into six areas at four different locations, the Domestic Violence Unit is responsible for handling all domestic violence felonies in King County, all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor domestic violence cases from unincorporated areas, as well as providing criminal advocacy services on all domestic violence cases and protection order advocacy to several thousand victims annually.

In addition to a high volume and intense trial practice, the Domestic Violence Unit engages in many innovative practices from utilizing new technologies in investigations, King County Firearms Forfeiture Project, to working with law enforcement and local domestic violence advocacy organizations to promote a coordinated community response.  The Domestic Violence Unit was a founding partner in the domestic violence courts in District Court, and the specialized domestic violence case management system in Superior Court. The mission of the Domestic Violence Unit is to break the cycle of domestic violence by increasing accountability for domestic violence offenders and improving safety for victims of domestic violence and their children.

Domestic Violence Unit: 206-477-3742

In 1994, the office, along with Superior Court, created an alternative to traditional prosecution for drug possession crimes. Defendants are offered an opportunity to enter a court-monitored drug treatment program. If they successfully complete the one-year program, the charges are dismissed. If they fail the program, they are returned to the court for a stipulated trial and sentencing.  Read more about Drug Court.

Cases handled by the Economic Crimes Unit cover a wide range of crimes from simple thefts and narcotics cases to complex organized criminal activity, including: public corruption, abuse of office, employee thefts, insurance frauds, environmental crimes, investment frauds, mortgage frauds, aggravated consumer frauds, frauds against the elderly and vulnerable victims, frauds against government, and technology crimes.  They also maintain a focus on prosecuting the top Identity Theft offenders in the county.

Read tips to prevent becoming an identity theft victim.

Economic Crimes Unit: 206-477-3733

The General Crimes Unit (GCU) handles felony trials and files charges in a variety of cases, such as Assault 3, Felony Harassment, Burglaries, Car Theft, Unlawful Firearm Possession, Escape, and Narcotics Deliveries. GCU is located in the King County Courthouse in Seattle.

Formed in 2017, the High Priority Repeat Offenders Unit (HIPRO) is a unit dedicated to reducing crime rates by focusing on the most prolific burglars and car thieves in our community. The HIPRO unit is the combination of the former Car Theft and Repeat Burglar Initiatives and uses many of the same approaches to reducing crime rates, including “stacking” cases and working to ensure that offenders stay in custody pending trial. The HIPRO unit also works to build relationships with police agencies to encourage thorough burglary and car theft investigations and more prompt filing of cases, and raises community awareness of burglary and car theft prevention.

The Most Dangerous Offender Project (MDOP) is comprised of Senior Deputies who are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to respond to every homicide scene in King County. The responding deputy works as part of an investigation team, which includes the detectives, the medical examiner, and forensic scientists. The deputy responding to the homicide scene assumes immediate responsibility for the prosecution -- preparing search warrants, coordinating the efforts of law enforcement and forensic scientists, and offering legal advice to investigators. This deputy's responsibility includes the charging decision and extends to all subsequent legal proceedings from arraignment through trial to sentencing

The Involuntary Treatment Act Unit (ITA)  handles involuntary mental health treatment commitment cases.  Persons with mental illness who present a risk to themselves or others may be detained involuntarily and placed into a local in-patient mental health evaluation and treatment facility (Harborview Medical Center, Fairfax Hospital, Cascade Behavioral Health, Swedish Ballard Hospital, MultiCare Health System, in Auburn, the Geropsychiatric Center of Northwest Hospital or Navos Mental Health Solutions In-patient Services).  The set of laws which allows this is called the Involuntary Treatment Act.  The initial detention is for up to 72 hours.  If the treating facility believes further in-patient treatment is necessary, the facility petitions the court for more time for involuntary treatment.  The patient can contest the need for the detention and treatment, and is entitled to a full hearing governed by the rules of evidence.  By statute, the Prosecuting Attorney's Office is charged with representing the treatment facility seeking longer involuntary treatment.  These proceedings are considered to be civil, rather than criminal, proceedings.

The courtroom for ITA proceedings is located on the second floor of the Ninth and Jefferson Building, across the street from Harborview Medical Center.  ITA Court should not be confused with criminal mental health courts, which are run by either the King County District Court or Seattle Municipal Court and are part of the criminal justice system.

For frequently asked questions about the ITA Court, please visit: King County Superior Court Involuntary Treatment Act Court

Involuntary Treatment Act Unit: 206-744-7774

Email: PAOITA@kingcounty.gov

The Juvenile Court Unit is responsible for the prosecution of all juvenile offenders in King County. It is responsible for case processing and the prosecution of all felonies and misdemeanors committed by persons under the age of eighteen.

The office of the Juvenile Section is located at the King County Department of Youth Services Complex in Seattle's First Hill neighborhood. Deputy Prosecuting attorneys handle a high volume of cases including violent crimes and sexual assaults.

Juvenile Court Unit: 206-477-3044

The Records and Information Section is responsible for maintaining Criminal Division files and records. It is also an information dispensing service for the public and other agencies within the criminal justice system.

• Seattle Courthouse: 206-477-3735

• Kent MRJC: 206-477-3755

The Sentencing Unit is responsible for the completion of criminal history, sentencing calculations, preparation of sentencing recommendations, as well as scheduling sentencing.

• Seattle: 206-477-3565

• Kent MRJC: 206-205-7471 or 206-205-7472

The Sexually Violent Predator Unit prosecutes civil commitments under RCW 71.09. In addition to handling initial commitment trials, the unit handles all appeals, annual reviews and conditional release trials associated with the commitment. The unit has developed a national reputation in the civil commitment of sexually violent predators and has been in the forefront of defending such commitment laws against constitutional challenge.

The King County Prosecutor's Office prides itself for creating one of the first specialized units in the country to deal exclusively with cases involving the sexual and physical abuse of children, as well as sexual offenses against adults. Specially trained prosecutors, who are uniquely qualified to deal with the complex and sensitive nature of these cases, staff the Special Assault Unit at both the downtown courthouse and the Maleng Regional Justice Center.

A highly skilled forensic interviewer is available at both sites to assist law enforcement with interviewing children. The interview specialist, having received a Masters in Social Work, employs research-based interview techniques designed to achieve accuracy and objectivity.

Since its creation, the King County Prosecutor's Office Special Assault Unit has worked collaboratively with law enforcement, Child Protective Services and local advocacy groups. In 2000, the King County Special Assault Network Protocol, which provides guidance and structure for investigators of sexual assault, became the model for State mandated protocols. 

• Seattle: 206-477-3742

• Kent MRJC: 206-205-7411

Special Operations/Case Development Unit, King County Prosecutor’s Office

The objective of the Special Operations Unit is to provide assistance to police and prosecutors in a wide variety of matters, including covert, complex, technology-based and/or sensitive investigations, and all cases involving electronic surveillance.  The scope of our work is detailed below:

1. Cases Involving Electronic Surveillance

   The Special Operations Unit assists in all cases utilizing statutorily authorized electronic surveillance techniques.  We also work with law enforcement and other prosecuting offices to develop use protocols and supply training.  These techniques are employed in a wide variety of investigations including homicide, sexual assault, prolific criminals, organized crime, and efforts to locate fugitives, missing persons and material witnesses.

2. Narcotics Case Development

The unit includes Case Development Deputies who are imbedded with local law enforcement and task force groups to provide real time and detailed legal assistance in combating Drug Trafficking Organizations.  The Case Development Deputies assist in developing legal strategies, reviewing search warrants, rush filing cases, and providing legal guidance on forfeiture issues.

3. Cyber Crimes

The Spec Ops unit is also available to assist in investigations into cyber-related crimes.  Recent investigations include Distributing Intimate Images (“revenge porn”), cyber stalking, cyber intrusions/data theft, and on-line harassment/death threats.

4. Corruption / Public Officials

   Special Operations includes two Public Integrity Deputies. They focus on those cases involving public corruption and other cases where public employees are the target of an investigation. They also assist in the investigations of and review those cases in which a use of force by a public employee results in substantial bodily harm or death of an individual and all in-custody deaths. Special Operations Deputies are also available to assist in those cases in which public officials are the victims of threats and harassment. 
   

5. Complex Investigation / Task Force

   Spec Ops deputies are available to consult law enforcement in complex and long-standing investigations.  Recent examples include sex trafficking, conspiracy to kill a police officer, a serial burglary ring, and a task force involving sophisticated jewelry thieves.

6. Search Warrant Assist / Templates

Special Operations deputies review a wide variety of search warrants and are available to assist in complex, technical or unusual warrants. Spec Ops has also maintains search warrant resources that are available to law enforcement and prosecutors including a variety of search warrant templates.

7. Emergency Matters

Special Operations deputies are on call 24/7 to provide immediate assistance in any of the above situations as well as to assist in efforts to locate missing and endangered persons.

8. Training

Spec Ops deputies routinely provide training to law enforcement, prosecutors, 911 and dispatch operators, search and rescue personal and others on many of the topics listed above.

9. Privileged Communications / Taint Team

The Spec Ops unit is charged with assisting in cases implicating privilege matters. This often involves attorney/client communication discovered in jail phone calls and searches of areas where privileged material is like to be located such as law offices and jail cells.

For years, the United States spent staggering amounts of money to imprison people for low-level, non-violent crimes related to mental health issues, addictions, and substance abuse. Jails and prisons reached maximum capacity. Upon release, people re-offended and cycled back into the criminal justice system as recidivism rates remained high. 

Criminal justice experts have turned to therapeutic courts to keep people out of prison while keeping communities safe. In King County, Regional Mental Health Courts, Regional Veterans Court, and CARD (Community Assessment and Referral for Diversion) are committed to helping people find and receive treatment and services.

Read more about the therapeutic courts.

Cases handled by the Violent and Economic Crimes Unit (VECU) cover a wide range of crimes in South King County.  From simple thefts and narcotics cases to assaults and drive by shootings – the cases in VECU cover a variety of crimes and seriousness levels. VECU is located in the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.