King County Prosecuting Attorney

Question 1

The DSA’s core mission is to create a healthy, vibrant downtown for all. It is no secret that the pandemic took a heavy toll on downtowns across the country and Seattle is no exception. As we work toward recovery on all fronts, issues and concerns around public safety downtown continues to be one of the top themes we hear from members, ratepayers and stakeholders. Given that many pieces of the public safety ecosystem are held by different jurisdictions, what do you see as the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s role in increasing public safety in downtown Seattle? Additionally, how do you envision working with other local and state jurisdictions to ensure strong coordination and alignment to wholistically address public safety?
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Jim Ferrell

Everything starts with accountability. The King County Prosecutor’s job is to hold offenders accountable for their actions based on fact. It is not complicated.

As the Mayor of a City of more than 100,000 residents, I have seen firsthand the impacts of the lack of prosecutions from the current Prosecutor. This has led to a growing list of criminals who are not being held accountable for their actions. I believe in second chances, but not revolving doors where the same people commit the same crimes without facing justice.

Many of my fellow Mayor’s and I have expressed frustration with the leadership team of the King County Prosecutor’s Office. We have worked together to share information on repeat offenders and coordinated to counter gang activity in South King County.

The abolitionist approach of my opponent is the wrong direction for our County. We must partner with local jurisdictions and law enforcement to ensure a coordinated response to

the significant rise in crime we have all experienced. Furthermore, as King County Prosecutor, I will be present in Olympia advocating for a common sense approach to prosecutions. I will speak up when serious changes are made legislatively that adversely impact public safety.

Leesa Manion

Making our communities safer, reducing property crime, and protecting victims requires proven experience and hands-on leadership. COVID disruptions, a reduction in important police resources, and the housing and opioid crises have threatened the vitality of our neighborhoods and business districts. Our challenges are complex, but we can and must do better.

As a career prosecutor and the only candidate who has built and implemented countywide crime prevention strategies with law enforcement partners, mental health professionals, and community service providers, I will focus on the public safety issues facing our County and communities with needed urgency to deliver criminal accountability, racial equity, and restorative justice. I will:

• Require accountability, including prosecution and jail time for violent and repeat offenders, as well as monitored treatment to address the root causes of criminal behavior.
• Build a stronger relationship with law enforcement, including regular in person meetings with leadership and rank and file officers – while maintaining my strong relationships with the Seattle Mayor and City Attorney, business leaders and community based organizations to improve coordination and collaboration and to get better outcomes for our neighbors and small businesses.
• Invest in effective and data-driven prevention and diversion strategies to reduce recidivism, keep vulnerable youth in school and on pathways to success, and address underlying mental health and addiction issues.
• Maintain the highest nonpartisan legal, ethical and equity-driven standards in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office required to best serve our diverse and growing County.
• Reduce racial disparities in our criminal legal system to improve justice for everyone.

Question 3

What is your specific approach to balancing offender diversion and rehabilitation with interests of public safety, accountability for engaging in criminal activity and justice and resolution for victims?
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Jim Ferrell

Diversions are a critically important component to the criminal justice system. For a diversion program to be balanced and successful, there must be an element of accountability along with a transparent treatment plan.

Pre-filing diversions without a case number, judicial oversight, or transparent criteria and treatment plan are not effective. They do not provide justice for victims of crime or actual rehabilitation for offenders. Serious felony cases should not be eligible for this type of program.

Leesa Manion

An important component of public safety is addressing both crime and root causes. Individuals often continue to commit crimes, even after being caught and prosecuted, because the root causes of their behavior are not addressed. A thoughtful – and effective – criminal justice system can charge felony crimes, support victims, and help people stop cycles of criminal behavior. This is a narrative we risk losing as our political discourse becomes more polarized and divided.

For example, last Spring, under my leadership, the PAO charged a man for committing 28 thefts of alcohol from a downtown Seattle store over the course of several weeks. To break the cycle of arrest and release for the nonviolent misdemeanor crimes of shoplifting typically handled by the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, the PAO combined the total loss amount of all 28 thefts and charged this as a felony case in Drug Court, a minimum 10-month program that provides support to break the cycle of addiction that often leads to criminal behavior. Drug Court offers dedicated treatment, case management, and housing. If he completes the program, the felony case is resolved; if not, he faces traditional prosecution.

In this case, the most important thing from a public safety perspective was to remove this individual from a cycle of harm – to the store owner and employees, downtown residents and visitors, and himself.

Under my leadership, the PAO will continue to review each case individually, taking into careful consideration the evidence, the individual’s history, and the variety of accountability options, whether that’s traditional prosecution, therapeutic courts, or the responsible diversion of nonviolent offenses.

Workers, customers, and King County residents expect accountability. Accountability that addresses crime and root causes is achievable in this type of thoughtful and effective approach to public safety.