Show All Answers

1. How do I request copies of public records or police reports?

If you are a defense attorney or a defendant acting as your own attorney ("pro se"), request police reports through the regular court discovery process.

If you are requesting public records or police reports under the state Public Records Act, click here.

If you are requesting police reports under a statute other than the Public Records Act, click here.
Public Records Page

2. How do I contact District Court?

Sequim's misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor criminal cases and infractions are usually heard in Clallam County District Court I in Port Angeles. The general phone number for Clallam County is 360-417-2000. The court is located at 223 East 4th Street in Port Angeles, off of Lincoln Street, across from Safeway, on the second floor. The fax number is 360-417-2403. District Court Web Site

3. How do I contact the Clallam County Prosecutor?

For felony cases, dial 360-417-2301 and listen to the menu options.

For Sequim misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors that are being handled by the County due to jurisdictional or conflict issues, dial 360-417-2368, fax 360-417-2422. All other Sequim misdemeanor cases, contact the City of Sequim Legal Department at 681-6611.

4. How do I contact Clallam County's crime victim/witness coordinator?

Forks Abuse Program provides crime victim services for the entire county. This program has many resources available. Forks Abuse Program

5. Where can I obtain legal help in non-criminal matters if I can't afford an attorney?

The City Attorney is the legal adviser to the City Council and City Officials. The City Attorney cannot give legal advice to private citizens. Fortunately, there are numerous sources of free or low cost legal advice available in our community. The Public Library (North Olympic Library System) has lists of some of these resources and some self-help legal publications. There are other resources including Northwest Justice Project in Port Angeles. North Olympic Library System

6. Who accepts service of lawsuits and other official documents on behalf of the City of Sequim?

The City Clerk accepts service of lawsuits and other official documents on behalf of the City of Sequim. At times, the City Attorney may agree to accept service of lawsuits, but only through a formal written process.

7. What are the City's requirements with regard to garbage pickup service?

Every resident and business within the city limits of Sequim must have garbage pickup service. See SMC 8.08.040. Sequim Municipal Code

8. What can be done about my neighbor's junk vehicles or weedy yard or barking dogs?

See our ordinances and Code Enforcement page. Our resources for enforcing public nuisance ordinances are very limited; however, we are committed to helping ensure a safe and pleasant environment for all citizens. The City works with property owners to achieve compliance with the Municipal Code requirements. Code Compliance Page

9. Why can't the City Attorney or other Legal Department staff or the contract Prosecutor talk to me or give me legal advice?

The City Attorney represents the governmental entity of the City of Sequim and its elected officials and employees. The City Attorney is not allowed to represent individual citizens who live in Sequim, and therefore cannot advise them on any legal matter, especially in situations where the citizen may have a dispute with the City.

Other Legal Department staff are under the same restrictions as the City Attorney, and in addition are prohibited from giving legal advice if they are not attorneys.

The contract Prosecutor represents the City against people arrested for certain crimes within the Sequim city limits. He can only speak to defendants who have informed him and the judge that they are proceeding "pro se" --- that is, representing themselves. He cannot advise defendants because his position is adversarial; however, he may discuss scheduling issues and pleas with a pro se defendant.

10. Can I get a different court date?

If you are a DEFENDANT in a Sequim criminal case, contact your attorney to discuss a "continuance" or "set-over" of a court date. If you are representing yourself "pro se", you may request a different court date in writing to the court, with a copy to us, setting forth your name, the case number, the current court date, and the reason you need a different date. The judge will decide whether to grant your request and may require that you appear in court or by phone to discuss a continuance. If the judge doesn't grant the request and you don't show up for the current court date, a bench warrant will likely be issued for your arrest.

If you are a WITNESS in a Sequim criminal case and unavailable for a court date, please contact us right away by phone. We may ask that you provide us with a written statement to support our request for a new date, or we may determine that your testimony is no longer required and will excuse you from complying with the subpoena.

11. What do I do with this subpoena I received?

A subpoena is an important document that should not be disregarded or misplaced. Most subpoenas the City issues are to bring witnesses to court to testify on misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor cases. Very often those trials do not occur because the case gets resolved. Read the instructions on the subpoena carefully. Call if you have any questions, and especially be sure to call before you make a trip to court. Non-compliance with a subpoena may have serious consequences.

12. Can I "drop the charges" when I'm the victim of an assault case?

No. Only a prosecutor or court can "drop charges", not a victim. However, in some cases a victim may ask for termination or modification of a "no contact" order prohibiting contact between the victim and a defendant. This procedure (link) applies only to cases where the City of Sequim is the plaintiff.

13. How do I serve legal documents on the City, the City Attorney or the contract Prosecutor?

Initial service of process of lawsuits or claims against the City must be made upon the City Clerk and comply with court rules and applicable statutes.
Subsequent documents in CIVIL matters (if allowed by court rule) may be served by mail upon the City Attorney at 152 W. Cedar Street, Sequim WA 98382. The City Attorney does NOT accept service by fax or email unless prior permission is granted in writing.
Motions and pleadings in CRIMINAL matters should be served by mail upon the City Attorney's office at 152 W. Cedar Street, Sequim WA 98382 or by fax to 360-681-2380. Pleadings in criminal matters should be served on the Clallam County Prosecutor's Office, which currently handles all criminal cases for the City of Sequim. Their address is 223 East 4th Street, Port Angeles.

14. What happens if the City of Sequim charges me with a crime and I can't afford an attorney?

Defendants in criminal cases who are determined by the Judge to be unable to afford a lawyer will have a Public Defender or private attorney appointed by the court to represent them.