Show All Answers

1. Can the Prosecuting Attorney's Office provide me legal advice?

Employees of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office are prohibited by law from answering legal questions or offering legal advice.

2. Does the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office provide copies of police reports?

Most of our documents are public record. There are statutory exemptions that may apply to certain cases or certain documents in a case. Request forms are available at our on our website at http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/1027/Public-Records-Disclosure-Information. You can also contact the police agency that created the report.

3. I have an outstanding bench warrant for my arrest, what do I do?

Turn yourself in to jail. And show up for court.

4. I need child support. Can the Prosecuting Attorney's Office help me?

Our Support Services Division may be able to help. Please contact them at (360) 778-5210.

5. Someone claiming to be from the Prosecuting Attorney's Office wants to ask me some questions. How do I know they really are from your office?

Every employee in this office is issued official identification. Ask to see it.

6. What is the difference between a felony and a misdemeanor?

How much punishment a criminal gets depends on how bad their crime was.

To help determine how bad a crime was, the crime is called either a 'felony' or a 'misdemeanor'. Felonies are more serious crimes, and misdemeanors are less serious crimes. Both can result in a jail sentence but only a felony can result in a prison sentence.

The maximum sentence a person can receive on a misdemeanor is 365 days or less. Sentences on felonies can be less than or more than a year, and can be up to life in prison. If the sentence is less than a year, the sentence is generally served in a local jail. If the sentence is more than a year the time is generally served in prison.

7. What is the Prosecuting Attorney's jurisdiction?

The Prosecuting Attorney's Office is responsible for prosecuting all adult and juvenile felony cases referred by county law enforcement agencies, and all misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases referred by the county sheriff, the State Patrol, all state agencies, and some cities who have contracted with the county for misdemeanor prosecution services.

8. Who decides what charges to file, and how do they make that decision?

A deputy prosecuting attorney reviews cases brought to the Prosecuting Attorney's Office by local law enforcement agencies. The reports are reviewed in light of current law and whether the case presented by the agency can be proven in court beyond a reasonable doubt.

9. Will the Prosecuting Attorney's Office help me clear up an outstanding warrant?

The Prosecuting Attorney's Office is prohibited by law from providing legal assistance or advice to a defendant. For help, you may contact a private attorney or the Whatcom County Public Defender's Office at (360) 778-5640. The Public Defender represents defendants who cannot afford an attorney.

10. Will the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney's Office enforce a parenting plan that my ex is violating since it was entered in your County Superior Court?

Enforcement of court orders is a private matter between you and the other person and must be handled by a private attorney. Government attorneys do not settle custodial disputes or enforce court orders between individuals. If a private attorney helped you obtain the order, a private attorney (not a government attorney) must help you enforce the order.