The position of King County Prosecuting Attorney serves as an anchor in the community, a formidable presence able to withstand churning political tides while remaining true to the fundamental values of fairness and justice.
At a time when local and state political leaders are more willing than ever to try law enforcement reforms, the region needs a prosecutor who is committed to both trying new approaches and personal accountability. Public safety must be the main concern.
Voters should choose Jim Ferrell to be the next King County Prosecuting Attorney. He has the experience, priorities and people skills to become only the fifth person to serve in this important position in seven decades.
Currently major of Federal Way, Ferrell worked in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for 16 years. He helped create and later supervised the Domestic Violence Court Unit working with victims of violent crimes.
Ferrell’s experience as an elected executive leading a city government and its police department gave him an important perspective on how decisions by the prosecutor’s office impact residents. While he is familiar with the job, Ferrell brings a fresh mindset to resolving the community’s law enforcement challenges.
These have been difficult times for the criminal legal system. Pandemic-related health restrictions extended courts and jury trials. King County Executive Dow Constantine ordered fewer jail bookings to stop disease spread. The George Floyd murder sharpened calls for police reforms. Violent crime spiked, here and across the nation.
Friction between South King County majors and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office predates the pandemic. In 2019, Ferrell said he and others met with top prosecutors to question their filing decisions, contending they do not rigorously enforce laws and too often look the other way to resolve cases.
Ferrell supports programs that offer alternatives to jail. But he also