{"id":377083,"date":"2023-11-28T13:24:32","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T18:24:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/washington-law\/washington-district-attorneys.html"},"modified":"2023-11-28T13:24:32","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T18:24:32","slug":"washington-district-attorneys","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/washington-law\/washington-district-attorneys.html","title":{"rendered":"Washington District Attorneys"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Washington District Attorneys<\/h1>\n
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\n By Eric Harvey, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Charges aren’t levied against suspects automatically after an arrest. Rather, criminal charges are filed by the district attorney (D.A.). They are filed in the county or multi-county district where the crime allegedly occurred. In Washington state, the D.A. is called the "prosecuting attorney." One represents each county. The prosecutor’s job is to convict defendants. Speaking with them on your own accord is often unwise.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

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You don’t want to reveal your defense strategies<\/a> before the trial begins. While you may be offered a plea bargain<\/a>, discussing any such offers with your attorney is always a good idea. Do this before reaching a decision. The following information and directory will help you better understand the prosecutor’s role.<\/p>\r\n

Washington Attorney General’s Office<\/h2>\r\n

Washington "prosecuting attorneys" represent their county in state legal matters. They do so mainly with criminal prosecutions. The Washington Attorney General’s Office<\/a> represents the state in litigation matters.<\/p>\r\n

Both prosecuting attorneys and attorneys general assist law enforcement. They carry out the administration of the criminal justice system in the state of Washington. These elected officials are meant to serve the interests of the public. As the senior-most prosecutor in their respective districts, prosecuting attorneys handle the administration of criminal laws wherever they are elected. They will make appearances in district courts to prosecute defendants. They carry out prosecution in criminal cases.<\/p>\r\n

Any prosecuting attorney’s office also handles expungement<\/a>. Expungement is the removal of a person’s criminal history from public records.<\/p>\r\n

Prosecuting attorneys handle the prosecution of all criminal offenses. Examples of these are:<\/p>\r\n