Title
A MOTION requesting the executive establish a plan to hold in detention adult arrestees until the arrestee receives a court hearing in specified high-risk circumstances.
Body
WHEREAS, due to the COVID-19 pandemic response, the executive sought to reduce the in-custody daily population at King County's two correctional facilities to reduce the spread of COVID-19 within the facilities, and
WHEREAS, since March 2020, King County correctional facilities no longer book individuals arrested for certain low-level offenses, and
WHEREAS, law enforcement agencies within King County are arresting and releasing individuals suspected of committing certain misdemeanors such as theft in the third degree;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The council requests that the executive work with the King County prosecuting attorney and local jurisdictions to develop a plan to hold in custody all adult arrestees booked into a King County correctional facility until the arrestee has received a bond hearing or has been arraigned in the following circumstances:
1. If the arrestee has been arrested three times within a rolling four-week period;
2. If the arrestee was arrested as a part of an investigation resulting in multiple arrests;
3. If an arrestee has a prior history of violating court orders three or more times; or
4. If the arrestee has been previously arrested for offenses involving danger to the public or law enforcement officers.
B. The executive should electronically file the plan, no later than September 1, 2022, with the clerk of the council, who shall retain an electronic copy and provide an electronic copy to all councilmembers, the council chief of staff and the lead staff for the law, justice, health and human services committee, or its successor.