Criminal Division The Criminal Division is the largest of four divisions in the King County Prosecutor's Office and is organized into several different units and sections. At the core of the attorney structure is an Executive Committee comprising the Division Chief and senior deputy prosecutors representing the major units in the Division. This Executive Committee manages the processing of the thousands of cases which pass through this division. The Criminal Division represents the state and the county in criminal matters in the King County District and Superior courts, the state and federal courts of appeal, and the Washington and U.S. Supreme Courts.
The major units of the Criminal Division are:
Appellate Unit
The Appellate Unit handles most appeals and Personal Restraint Petitions (PRP's) in the Court of Appeals and the Washington State Supreme Court that arise from convictions in the King County Superior Court. The deputies on the Appellate Unit also consult with other deputies in the Criminal and Fraud Division on complex legal issues.
District Court Unit
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.
Domestic Violence Unit
In the 1990's, 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. The Domestic Violence Unit is responsible for handling all felony domestic violence cases, and all misdemeanor domestic violence cases in King County. In addition, the Protection Order Program provides services to victims of domestic violence who are seeking a civil protection order. The Domestic Violence Unit is comprised of 20 deputy prosecutors, 23 victim advocates, and several paralegals. The Domestic Violence Unit was a founding partner in the newly created 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.
Early Plea Unit
The deputies working in the Early Plea Unit conduct plea negotiations with defense counsel and attempt to resolve mainstream and drug cases before a trial date is set.
Filing Unit
This unit screens for prosecution all adult felony referrals except domestic violence, special assault, and drug crimes. When referrals are legally sufficient, this unit drafts and files all the necessary charging documents. This unit also handles preliminary appearance calendars, arraignments, bond hearings, proceedings relating to competency of defendants, the early plea project, sentence violation calendars, and the case-scheduling calendar. Further, this unit consults regularly with law enforcement agencies and individual officers to provide training and general advice.
Juvenile Unit
The Juvenile Unit is responsible for the prosecution of all juvenile offenders in King County. Fourteen deputy prosecutors, two legal interns and a support staff of fourteen, including victim advocates, are 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. Deputy Prosecuting attorneys handle a high volume of cases including violent crimes and sexual assaults.
Most Dangerous Offender Project
The Most Dangerous Offender Project (MDOP) is comprised of seven 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.
Persistent Offender Prosecution
Persistent offenders are convicted felons who, because of the serious nature of their current offense and because of their criminal history, are sentenced under the Persistent Offender Act (also known as the "Three Strikes You're Out initiative."
Records and Information Section
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.
Sentencing Unit
The Sentencing Unit is responsible for the completion of criminal history, sentencing calculations, preparation of sentencing recommendations, as well as scheduling sentencing.
Sexually Violent Predator Unit
The Sexually Violent Predator Unit is part of the Special Assault Unit, and is comprised of six deputies and two paralegals. This 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.
Special Assault Unit
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 Regional Justice Center.
Highly skilled forensic interviewers are available at both sites to assist law enforcement with interviewing children. The interview specialists, each having received their Masters in Social Work, employ 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.
Special Drug Unit
A Special Drug Unit (SDU) was formed in 1986 to concentrate on swifter charging and tougher sentencing of drug dealers. This unit focuses exclusively on the prosecution of drug crimes. The special Drug Unit works closely with narcotics detectives and other law enforcement officers in developing strategies that target major drug distributors and manufacturers, marijuana grow farms, and street dealers. The success of this unit prompted the creation of two specialized drug prosecution projects:
Drug Case Development
The collaborative effort between police and prosecutors evolved into the Drug Case Development Section. This section provides legal advice and assistance to four law enforcement agencies: Seattle Police Department, King County Police, South King County Task Force and Eastside Task Force.
Drug Court
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.
Trial Teams
The deputies on this unit prosecute felony cases which are neither drug nor special assault cases (i.e. theft, robbery, assault and homicide).
Updated: April 12, 2001
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