Courts

Prosecutor

The office prosecutes approximately 10,000 criminal violations of the Spokane Municipal Code annually. These cases are assigned using a concept called “vertical prosecution," which assigns each criminal defendant to a given prosecutor for all crimes charged over time. This allows the prosecutor to become familiar with the defendant and their particular conduct as a whole rather than on a case-by-case basis.

Additionally, the office is responsible for prosecuting civil traffic and non-traffic infractions committed within the City. The office also drafts criminal ordinances and monitors state criminal justice legislation of interest to the City.

These criminal and civil cases are heard in the Spokane Municipal Court.

The Office of the Spokane City Prosecuting Attorney is organized into four key units: Administration, Core Prosecution, Domestic Violence, and Appellate.

The Civil Division of the City Attorney's Office:

• Represents the city in all matters pertaining to day-to-day operation
• Handles city matters in all areas of the law, except criminal prosecution
• Attends all meetings of the City Council, advising and rendering opinions upon request
• Attends meetings of the Mayor's and City Council's boards, committees, commissions and task forces providing opinions as needed
• Prepares and reviews ordinances, resolutions, petitions, contracts, deeds, leases, easements, agreements, notices, and all other legal documents and general legal services for all city departments and offices
• Provides general counsel to the, city department heads, and hearing examiner
• Is responsible for all litigation filed against or on behalf of the city
• Reviews and researches federal, state and local laws, ordinances, and court decisions and prepares memoranda and legal opinions

The office represents the interests of the people of the City of Spokane. It does so by the timely prosecution of individuals who violate the law within our community. This prosecution effort is conducted in a manner that reflects the nature of the offense, ensures the defendant is properly punished for his or her conduct and which results in restitution to crime victims when appropriate. The office does not represent individuals. The attorneys and staff employed by the office are strictly prohibited from providing any legal advice to private individuals.