HomeMy WebLinkAboutPAO Budget NarrativeDivisions:ses and present nesorder to determine if that person can be fair to both parties. The DPA makes an opening argument then proceeds to put on witly less than a minute in ualAt
trial DPAs are put under steady pressure. They conduct jury selection which is talking to potential jurors for what is usthe month leading up to the trial and 16 hour days during the
trial.60+ hours a week for rk evidence, and preparing questions for each witness. A longer trial can last weeks and in these cases a DPA will typically woiewing relevant rules of revinterviewing
witnesses, working with witnesses availability, preparing jury instructions, preparing a strategy for the case, y of evidence, trial motions, determining the admissibilit-day trial
takes approximately forty hours of preparation that involves preparing pre-cate. A “short” twodvoTrials are a team effort that involve the DPA coordinating the efforts of legal assistants,
law enforcement, and the victim acases to trial. aketo manage their behavior such that they have less contact with law enforcement. When negotiations are not successful, DPAs tminimum
learn thethat they get the treatment, education, and other resources they need to become contributing members to our community, or at ts and make sure dantherapeutic courts. When a
defendant enters a therapeutic court, DPAs work with a team of professionals to monitor the defenproresources. DPAs work with mental health professionals and substance abuse professionals
to determine which defendants are aply use limited court entOnce a case is charged Criminal DPAs, negotiate offers with defense attorneys in order to settle case before trial and efficicase.
ved in a criminal volfiled DPAs work with the victim advocate to ensure victims have input into their cases and understand the long, slow steps insult. If charges are retheir subsequent
hearings. If charges are not filed Criminal DPAs work with the victim advocate to notify any victims of theefendants appear at e dcontact orders, and pretrial supervision that are
all intended to both protect the public, rehabilitate defendants, and ensur-s of release, noionreferred to the office, Criminal DPAs review cases for charging, appear at defendants
initial appearances to recommend condite reports are OncCriminal DPA review hundreds of cases a year to determine if charges should be filed and to develop a prosecution strategy.
appropriate strategy for conducting an interview.n developing the most thepotential investigative strategies, review and approve warrants to search for evidence, and assist in locating
witnesses and igations, give advice on estcourse of action to take during the initial stages of an investigation. Prosecutors work closely with law enforcement on invtermine the best
dePrior to charging Criminal DPAs regularly take phone calls at all hours of the day and night, working with law enforcement toCriminal DPAs work with law enforcement to develop quality
cases and to limit county liability. requires intensive research and interviews with witnesses or subject matter experts. to if it ondA “simple” responsive motion takes approximately
eight hours to prepare, whereas a more complex motion can take weeks to respo dismiss a case. s tdepending the complexity of the issue involved. Research is conducted in response
to motions to suppress evidence and motionprepare, toCourt and Court of Appeals. Research also includes preparing motions for trials which can take anywhere from minutes to daysed
by the Supreme ssucriminal matters or use of force at any time. Research includes annually reviewing the hundreds of legal opinions that are ilegal advice on ve Criminal DPAs are constantly
conducting in depth research into existing law trends in the law so that they are prepared to giCriminal DPAs work cases from investigations, through conviction and appeal. Criminal
Division: coroners, in addition to DPAs.DPAs serve as deputy Alldivisions, deputy prosecuting attorneys (DPAs) regularly provide legal advice that minimizes legal liability of the
county.In all the The lawyers and staff in all the divisions are essential to county operations., the Civil Division, and the Coroner Division.Enforcement)includes Child Support There
are three divisions within the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO), the Criminal Division (which
2020 - 2021 Biennial Budget
SUMMARY
Key Funding
Service Issues
22 23 PAO Budget 150.xlsx
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At trial DPAs are put under steady pressure. They conduct jury selection which is talking to potential jurors for what is us. AC)Network (JOIN), and are working with community members
to research the establishment of a local Children's Advocacy Center (Cer Intervention endprevention. Criminal DPAs are involved with the 1/10th of 1% fund, the Organized Response to
Child Abuse (ORCA), Juvenile Offrime d cCriminal DPAs work with community members and chemical dependency and mental health providers on subjects related to crime ancourt of appeals,
and the Washington Supreme Court.rior court, the upesentence such as the payment of restitution. Simultaneously prosecutors will defend the convictions as they are appealed to sdgment
and juprobation officers to monitor defendants in order to rehabilitate the defendant and otherwise enforce the conditions of theirthe courts and th appropriate sentence for the defendant
under the law. If probation is ordered, DPAs remain involved with the case and work witermine an deUpon a finding of guilt, the process is not over as Criminal DPAs work with victims,
victim advocates, and law enforcement toto turn over to the State prior to the trial.se was not obligated fenState’s case, they must then respond to the defense case which typically
involves responding to surprise evidence that the deA presents the DPDPA must promptly make a cogent and convincing response in order to ensure the jury receives all relevant evidence.
Once thets or the law, but the facobjections made by opposing counsel. In many of these instances the objection is entirely frivolous and has no basis in the evidentiary toevidence
that supports their argument. Throughout this process DPAs must immediately, frequently without any notice, respondses and present nesorder to determine if that person can be fair
to both parties. The DPA makes an opening argument then proceeds to put on witly less than a minute in ual
2020 - 2021 Biennial Budget
22 23 PAO Budget 150.xlsx
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9/30/2021