Prosecuting Attorney's Office
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office provides legal services for criminal prosecutions, county government representation, child support matters, victim services, and other justice-related programs. This article explains the office’s responsibilities, the services available to residents, how different divisions handle cases, how to find case information, and how to contact the correct office for assistance.
King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office Overview
The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office represents the State of Washington and King County in criminal and civil legal matters. Prosecutor Leesa Manion leads the office, which works to prosecute criminal cases, provide legal counsel to county agencies, support victims, and manage programs connected to the justice system.
The office handles all felony prosecutions in King County and prosecutes misdemeanors in unincorporated areas of the county. Misdemeanor crimes committed in Seattle and other incorporated cities are referred to separate city attorney offices.
Beyond criminal prosecution, the office serves as the county’s law firm. Attorneys provide legal counsel and representation for county government clients, including the Metropolitan King County Council, the County Executive and executive agencies, Superior and District Courts, the County Assessor, and independent boards and commissions.
Main Office Responsibilities
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is organized around several major areas of service. These areas help residents understand which part of the office handles a particular issue.
Criminal prosecution for felony cases and eligible misdemeanor cases.
Civil legal services for King County government.
Child support and parentage services connected to the state and federal child support system.
Victim advocacy and support services for people affected by crimes.
Protection order advocacy and related victim assistance programs.
Public integrity investigations and reports involving certain law enforcement-related matters.
Criminal Division Services
The Criminal Division represents the state and county in many criminal matters handled through King County courts. The division works on felony cases, criminal filings, sentencing matters, and other parts of the criminal justice process.
The office provides information for people involved in criminal cases, including defendants, victims, witnesses, and members of the public seeking general case information. Criminal case questions may require different information depending on whether the person is looking for records, court information, or assistance related to a current case.
Finding Criminal Case Information
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provides guidance for locating criminal case information. Having the nine-digit King County court cause number can make accessing records information faster. If the cause number is unavailable, users should be prepared to provide the arrested person’s name and date of birth when contacting the Records and Information Section.
Additional criminal records information can also be found through Washington Courts case records services. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office also maintains criminal division records and provides information services for the public and other criminal justice agencies.
Criminal Case Records
The Criminal Division Records and Information Section maintains criminal files and records. The section helps provide information to the public and criminal justice system partners.
For criminal record questions, users should make sure they are contacting the correct location because criminal services are divided between different court facilities and units.
Civil Division Legal Services
The Civil Division acts as an in-house law firm for King County government. Attorneys provide legal advice, represent county agencies, and defend King County and its employees in lawsuits filed in state and federal courts.
Information about the Civil Division explains that attorneys assist county departments with a wide range of legal matters, including contracts, transportation, real property, employment issues, land use, natural resources, litigation, and other government operations.
County Legal Representation
The Civil Division supports county agencies by providing legal advice and courtroom representation when needed. Its attorneys work with government departments on regulatory issues, contracts, public records matters, and legal disputes involving county operations.
The division also includes the Involuntary Treatment Act Section, which represents treatment facilities seeking longer involuntary treatment under Washington law. These cases are civil proceedings rather than criminal cases.
Child Support And Parentage
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office plays a role in the child support system by helping establish parentage, enforce support obligations, and modify support amounts when necessary.
The office provides information about child support and paternity or parentage services. These services help address legal issues involving parentage and support responsibilities.
Support And Parentage Services
Child support services may involve establishing paternity or parentage, creating support obligations, enforcing existing obligations, and requesting changes when circumstances require review.
Residents seeking these services should review the official information provided by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to understand available processes and determine the appropriate next step.
Victim Services And Advocacy
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provides services designed to support crime victims during the criminal justice process. Victim services include advocacy, information about victim rights, and assistance with understanding available resources.
The office provides information about victim advocacy services, including support related to domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, hate crimes, homicide loss, and other situations affecting victims and families.
Protection Orders
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office also provides information about protection orders and victim support. A protection order is a civil court order issued by a judge that may help protect a person from harm.
The office provides advocacy information, filing guidance, safety information, and explanations of different types of protection orders. Protection order advocates can provide assistance to individuals seeking certain civil protection orders.
Public Information And Data
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provides public information through data dashboards, reports, and other materials. These resources help residents understand criminal justice activity and office operations.
The office’s data and reports page includes information about the PAO Data Dashboard, which shows types of crimes referred to the office, cases filed, and felony criminal justice case trends.
Public Integrity Information
The office reviews certain investigations involving officer-involved shootings, police use-of-force incidents, and in-custody deaths through its Public Integrity Team. Information about investigation status and reports is available through the office’s public information resources.
Case Filing Information
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provides information about criminal case filing procedures and standards. Criminal charges must follow the office’s established review and filing processes before a case moves forward.
Residents involved in criminal matters should identify whether they need information about filing charges, an existing criminal case, court proceedings, victim services, or another division before contacting the office.
Witness And Subpoena Information
People who receive a subpoena should contact the attorney or paralegal who issued the subpoena before coming to court. The office advises subpoena recipients to contact the issuing party if they have health concerns or other circumstances affecting their ability to appear.
Office Contact And Locations
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has several locations and divisions serving different legal functions. Visitors should confirm the correct office before arriving because some facilities are secure and require screening.
The King County Courthouse is a secure facility where visitors must pass through a metal detector. The Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center is also a secure facility. The Northeast District Court and Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center serve additional court-related functions.
Phone Scam Warning
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office warns residents about phone scams involving callers pretending to represent law enforcement or the court system. Scam callers may claim that a person missed court, failed to respond to a subpoena, or must pay money to avoid arrest.
The office does not collect payments over the phone. Residents who receive suspicious payment demands should hang up and treat the call as a fraudulent request.
King County Prosecuting Attorney Offices
King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office — King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, W400, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-477-1200
Civil Division — King County Courthouse, 516 Third Avenue, W400, Seattle, WA 98104 — 206-477-1120
Records and Information Section — Seattle Courthouse — 206-477-3735
Records and Information Section — Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center, Kent — 206-477-3755
Mainstream Criminal Division — Seattle — 206-296-9000
Mainstream Criminal Division — Kent — 206-205-7400
District Court Unit — Seattle West Division — 206-477-1290
District Court Unit — South Division — 206-477-2060
District Court Unit — Redmond East Division — 206-477-3150
Family Support Division — Seattle — 206-296-9020
Juvenile Division — Seattle — 206-477-3044
Protection Orders — Seattle — 206-477-1103
Victim Assistance — Seattle — 206-477-3742
Prosecuting Attorney's Office FAQs
How can I find information about a criminal case?
People looking for criminal case information can use the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office case information guidance. Having the 9-digit King County court cause number can make the search process faster. If the cause number is unavailable, be prepared to provide the arrested person’s name and date of birth when requesting information. The office also explains how to access additional criminal records information through official court record services. Visit How to find information about a case for details.
What should I do if I receive a subpoena for a court case?
If you receive a subpoena related to a criminal case, contact the attorney or paralegal who issued the subpoena before appearing in court. The office advises subpoena recipients to communicate with the issuing party if they have concerns or circumstances affecting their ability to attend. This helps ensure you receive the correct instructions before taking further action.
Where can I learn about victim advocacy services?
Victims and families involved in the criminal justice process can learn about available advocacy services, victim rights information, impact statements, and support resources. The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provides information for people affected by domestic violence, stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking, elder abuse, homicide loss, and other crimes. Learn more through Victim advocacy services.
How can I get help with child support or parentage matters?
The office provides information about its role in child support and parentage services, including establishing parentage, enforcing support obligations, and requesting changes to support arrangements. Residents can review official guidance about available processes through Child support and paternity/parentage services.
Where can I view public data and reports from the office?
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provides public information through its data dashboard, reports, and public integrity case updates. These resources include information about felony criminal justice case trends, referred crimes, filed cases, and investigations involving officer-involved shootings, police use-of-force incidents, and in-custody deaths. Visit Data and reports for current information.