ISLAND
COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY GREG BANKS
|
Between
the private life of the citizen and the public glare of
criminal accusation stands the prosecutor. That state
official has the power to employ the full machinery of
the state in scrutinizing any given individual. Even if
a defendant is ultimately acquitted, forced immersion
in criminal investigation and adjudication is a wrenching
disruption of everyday life. For this reason, we must
have assurance that those who would wield this power will
be guided solely by their sense of public responsibility
for the attainment of justice.
U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Brennan in
Young v. U.S. ex rel. Vuitton, 481 U.S. 787 (1987)
|
Island
County Prosecutor
Greg Banks |
MISSION
STATEMENT
The mission of the Island County Prosecuting Attorney’s
Office is to meet our statutory and constitutional duties to
the citizens of Island County and the State of Washington; To
vigorously, justly, and efficiently prosecute those who commit
crimes in Island County; To provide excellent legal advice and
services to the governing bodies and elected officials of Island
County; To be effective advocates for the continuous improvement
of the justice system; To set the standard for the highest level
of professionalism and ethics for the practice of law in Island
County.
Back
to top.
PLEA HEARING DOCUMENTS IN 
STATE OF WASHINGTON v. COLTON HARRIS-MOORE
December 15 , 2011. Because of the volume of media requests regarding the criminal case against Colton Harris-Moore in Island County, we are posting the new charging documents filed on December 15, 2011 as well as other materials that have been filed in preparation for the December 16, 2011 plea hearing. Regrettably, we do not have the resources to respond to all of your requests.
To view the December 16, 2011 sentencing hearing live, go to the Island County Home Page, and click on the hearing link.
Back
to top.
PEGGY THOMAS SECOND DEFENDANT CHARGED IN
MURDER OF RUSSEL DOUGLAS -
ARRESTED BY AUTHORITIES IN NEW MEXICO
July 11 , 2011. Last week, on July 6, we charged Peggy Thomas as an accomplice in the 2003 murder of Russel Douglas. The Superior Court issued a warrant, with bail set at $5 million dollars. The San Juan County, New Mexico fugitive response team arrested near her houseboat in Navajo Dam, New Mexico on Saturday, July 9. She is now awaiting extradition to Washington.
PRESS RELEASE on Thomas' charging and arrest
Charging Documents
JAMES HUDEN ARRESTED IN MEXICO
FOR ISLAND COUNTY MURDER OF RUSSEL DOUGLAS
June 10, 2011. James Huden was arrested in Veracruz, Mexico on June 9, 2011. Huden has been a fugitive from Island County since we filed first degree murder charges against him in May, 2005 for the December 26, 2003 slaying of Russel A. Douglas of Langley, Washington. An Island County Superior Court judge issued an arrest warrant in 2005 with bail set at $1,000,000....
PRESS RELEASE on Huden's Arrest in Mexico
Charging Documents
Back
to top.
OFFICE
STAFFING AND CASELOADS
The Island
County Prosecuting Attorney Greg Banks is ably assisted by six
deputy prosecuting attorneys and eight legal support staff.
The
Criminal Division is the major component of the office. Four deputy prosecutors and Prosecuting
Attorney Banks devote their efforts to prosecuting criminal
cases. The loss of three deputy prosecutor positions between 2008 and 2010 has resulted in a restructing of the office, and necessitated the sharing of caseloads to make sure we meet all of our court obligations. The primary assignments within the office are described below.
Two attorneys prosecute primarily felony level
crimes in Superior Court and their appeals. One of those deputies also carries a substantial DUI caseload in District Court in Oak Harbor. Felony crimes include everything
from burglary and drug offenses to sexual assaults and murder. These prosecutors are assisted by two paralegals. Mr. Banks reviews all adult felony cases, assigns them to the deputies, and consults with them as needed. Mr. Banks oversees the prosecution of major cases.
One deputy prosecutor, with assistance from a felony deputy,
handles the high volume misdemeanor case load, which consists
primarily of Driving Under the Influence, misdemeanor Domestic
Violence, and a wide variety of traffic offenses. These cases are heard in the Island County District Court in Oak Harbor. A single paralegal assists in this endeavor, assisted by other non-attorney staff as their time permites.
A single
deputy prosecutor handles the juvenile cases, which includes
all levels of criminal activity, as well as the juvenile drug court and most major sex crimes in our adult felony court. A single paralegal works in this unit as well.
All criminal units are also supported by our Victim/Witness coordinator, whose job it is to ensure crime victims and witnesses are provided assistance in interacting with the criminal justice system. In particular, this skilled employee works closely with victims of all types of crimes to ensure their rights are protected and that they have the support they need to assist in prosecutions.
The Civil
Division provides legal counsel to all Island County
elected officials, department heads, and numerous county agencies
and departments. Serving the role as an in-house law firm
for the county, the Civil Division works closely with clients
in solving a wide range of legal problems by issuing formal
written opinions and memoranda, providing general day-to-day
legal advice, and handling civil litigation to which Island
County is a party, whether as a plaintiff or defendant.
Two deputy prosecutors, as well as Mr. Banks provide civil legal
assistance to the county. A paralegal and the Office Administrator provide support to the three attorneys in this division.
The Child
Support Enforcement Division provides
services under contract with the State of Washington to enforce
child support orders of absent parents when the custodial parent
receives public assistance. This most often includes getting
court ordered DNA testing to determine the paternity of a dependent
child. This work is carried out by one of our civil deputy prosecutors, and a full-time paralegal devoted to the caseload. All of our expenses, including salaries and benefits, are reimbursed to us by the State.
Back
to top.
OFFICE HOURS
With the end of mandatory furloughs we have restored our office hours. Please be advised that our paralegal/receptionist position was eliminated in 2011. If you call our office for general asisstance, you may have to leave a message on our voice mail, rather than have a live person assist you. We regret the inconvenience.
Monday - Friday |
|
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
Back
to top.
HELP
US IMPROVE OUR WEB PAGE
We are looking for input
from citizens and government officials to help us improve our
web page. Please contact
us with your suggestions, ideas, and criticisms of our web
page. Thank you.
Back
to top.
CONTACT
US
The Island
County Prosecuting Attorney is located on the second floor of
the Law and Justice Building at 101 NE Sixth Street in Coupeville,
Washington, 98239.
| Mailing Address |
Island
County Prosecuting Attorney
P.O. Box 5000
Coupeville,
WA 98239 |
| Telephone |
Main
Extension:
Fax: |
360.679.7363
360.240.5566 |
| Email: |
ICPAO_Webmaster@co.island.wa.us |
Back
to top.
