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Prosecuting Attorney


Civil Division

The Civil Division acts as the law firm representing the County and its agencies. The Civil Division advises and represents all of the County’s elected officials and departments on legal matters. The range of legal representation provided by the Civil Division is expansive and covers virtually every aspect of civil law.

A sampling of some of the areas of representation provided by the Civil Division is as follows:

  • General Municipal Law (such as open public meetings, public records, etc.)
  • Election Law (including preparing ballot titles, recall petitions, etc.)
  • Contract Law (including interlocal agreements, public procurement, bidding, etc.)
  • Tort Defense (including evaluating and defending claims of personal injury, property damage, trespass, nuisance, etc.)
  • Eminent Domain (condemnation of property for public purposes)
  • Land Use Law (including growth management issues, land use petitions, permitting issues, building and fire code issues, etc.)
  • Law Enforcement Legal Issues (including asset and real property forfeitures, mutual aid agreements, etc.)
  • Tax Law (including bankruptcy, foreclosure, appraisals, etc.)
  • Code Enforcement (including building, health and other local codes)
  • Constitutional Law (including civil rights, freedom of speech, equal protection issues, due process issues, etc.)
  • Real Estate Law (including purchase and sales, easements, etc.)
  • Environmental Law (including solid and hazardous waste, Clean Water Act permits, water rights, etc.)
  • Public Works Law (including road repair and construction, storm water and wastewater facilities)

The Civil Division covers a broader range of legal issues than even the largest private law firms. The Civil Division acts as the advisor to County departments on legal issues that are both governmental (such as land use permitting) and proprietary (such as the provision of sewer service). The Civil Division represents the County in cases where the County brings a lawsuit (for example, condemnation of land for a public use, abatement of a public nuisance, or code enforcement matters), and defends the County when it is sued (including appeals of permit decisions, public records, tort claims, employment matters, etc.) In those circumstances where the County’s insurance provides for coverage, the Civil Division works closely with outside insurance counsel to defend the County.

District Court

This division prosecutes crimes classified as gross misdemeanors and misdemeanors under the state laws (RCW) and the County Code. Jurisdiction extends to both the Port Angeles and Forks District Court as well as City of Sequim cases. Particular emphasis is on the unique characteristics of Domestic Violence cases to hold offenders accountable while seeking treatment and promote community efforts to curb these offense. In addition, this division places emphasis on Driving While Under the Influence of drugs and/or alcohol to protects those on the Counties roads.

Superior Court Division (Felonies)

The Felony Division reviews, charges and prosecutes all felony charges lodged against adult offenders in Clallam County Superior Court. These include Clallam Bay Prison cases, certain U.S. Border Patrol cases and non-native cases on tribal lands. This division is responsible for all county felony cases through the appellate process, as well as some post-conviction probation violations involving defendants convicted in Superior Court plus ancillary matters such as extraditions, personal restraint petitions, firearm rights restoration, OPNET (drug task force) operations, Drug Court and, prosecuting forfeitures pursuant to the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (RCW 69.50.505)

Juvenile Court

This division is responsible for prosecuting all juvenile cases referred by law enforcement agencies throughout the county, including tribal lands, but not within the U.S. Olympic Park or U.S. Forest Service land.

Mission Statement:

To promote lawful juvenile behavior and a healthy family environment for children by enforcing compliance with the law and furthering the provision of services to children.

This mission is pursued through means that are fair and just, that recognize the unique characteristics and needs of children, and that give children access to opportunities for personal and social growth while holding the juvenile accountable for his or her behavior.

It is the belief of the juvenile division that:

(1) Prosecutors should exercise their discretionary power in charging and plea decisions based on good judgment and uniformity pursuant to office policy in their dual roles as administrators of justice and prosecutors.

(2) All members of the public, regardless of their age, race, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or financial status, will be treated with respect and shown common courtesy by all members of the juvenile division at all times.

The Duties and responsibilities of the Juvenile Prosecutor includes:

(1) Making a decision if a crime/offense has been committed and whether probable cause exists to believe that the accused juvenile has committed it.

(2) The drafting of a Criminal Information charging the juvenile with the offense.

(3) Appearing at the First Appearance, Arraignment, Adjudication and Disposition Hearings.

(4) If restitution is owed to the victim, the office will represent the victim's position at a restitution hearing.

(5) The Juvenile Prosecutor also represents the state in probation violation hearings, appeals to the higher courts, and any related court appearances.

(6) Training : The Juvenile Prosecutor has helped train attorneys, school personnel, social workers, probation officers, law enforcement personnel and other prosecutors from Washington State in juvenile rules and procedures. In addition, the Juvenile Prosecutor routinely lectures to victim advocates, college students, High School and Middle School Students and parents regarding Juvenile Law and drug abuse issues.

Family Support Division

This division receives cases from the state Office of Support Enforcement under terms of a written agreement between Clallam County and the Department of Social and Health Services. It is responsible for establishing paternity, modifying existing child support orders, interstate enforcement actions, representing the state in all child support cases where children have been or are receiving public assistance and for filing civil contempt and criminal nonsupport charges for noncompliance with terms of support orders.

Coroner

The charter, as the organic law of the county, has established the prosecuting attorney as the county coroner. All attorneys in the office are both deputy prosecutors as well as deputy coroners. In small counties, the Office of County Coroner is combined with the Prosecuting Attorney. The Coroner is responsible for investigating and certifying the cause of death in those cases where death is sudden, unexpected, or the result of an accident or unlawful means. This work is accomplished by coordinating with the Sheriff, local doctors and medical staff, hospice workers, pathologists, regional medical examiners, investigators, and family members and next of kin.

In cooperation with local doctors, the Coroner does not assume jurisdiction in those cases where death due to natural causes or disease is anticipated.

Mental Commitments

The Prosecutor's Office represents the state in mental commitment hearings. It is the Prosecutor's responsibility to present the factual case to the hearings judge. The Prosecutor does not represent any party nor request that any person be committed, nor does it defend any person at the hearing.