Charges aren't levied against suspects automatically after an arrest. Rather, criminal charges are filed by the District Attorney ("D.A.") in the county or multi-county district where the crime allegedly occurred. In Washington State, the D.A. is referred to as the "Prosecuting Attorney," with one representing each county. Since the prosecutor's job is to convict defendants, it's not often a wise idea to speak with them on your own accord.

First of all, you don't want to reveal any of your defense strategies before the trial begins (if there's no pre-trial settlement). And while you may be offered a plea bargain, it's always a good idea to discuss any such offers with your attorney before reaching a decision. In any event, the following information and directory will help you better understand the role of the prosecutor and contact them if necessary.

Washington Attorney General's Office

While Washington District Attorneys (or rather "prosecuting attorneys") represent their corresponding county in state legal matters (mainly criminal prosecutions), the Washington Attorney General's Office represents the state as a whole in litigation matters.

Directory of Washington State Prosecuting Attorneys

Each of Washington's 39 counties is its own judicial district, with a prosecuting attorney in charge of their respective district. Learn about Washington's prosecuting attorneys and, if necessary, contact yours using the following links.

Note: Although we strive to provide the most current contact and website information available for the D.A. offices in this state, this information is subject to change. If you have found contact or website information that is not current, please contact us.

Reach Out to a Lawyer Before Calling the Prosecuting Attorney

Criminal charges can have devastating consequences, especially if you're convicted and sent to prison, levied steep fines, have a lengthy probation, or lose your professional license. Getting ahead of the curve can help soften the blow. Your best course of action for defending against criminal charges is to work with an experienced Washington criminal defense attorney near you.