Q. - Can the City Attorney advise citizens in private legal matters?

A. - No. The City Attorney advises the Mayor and City Council, City Manager, City Department Heads, and City employees in City government legal matters. The Legal Department cannot provide legal advice to private citizens. However, the following organizations may be helpful to citizens in seeking legal representation and/or answers to general legal questions:

Clallam County Pro Bono Lawyers
(360) 417-0818

Consumer line/Office of the Attorney General
(800) 551-4636 or (800) 692-5082

Washington State Bar Association
(206) 727-8200

Internet Consumer Resource Center
www.wa.gov/ago/consumer

Q. - If I wish to review the Port Angeles Municipal Code or obtain a copy of a particular section, how should I proceed?

A. - Questions regarding the Port Angeles Municipal Code should be directed to the City Clerk at (360) 417-4634.

Proceed here to the Municipal Code page, which contains all of the City of Port Angeles ordinances.

Hard copies of the Code can be found at the Clallam County Law Library located in the Clallam County Courthouse and the North Olympic Public Library in Port Angeles.

Q. - Where can I report a crime or request investigation of what I believe may be criminal activity?

Investigation of crimes is conducted by the appropriate law enforcement agency. If the activity occurred in the City of Port Angeles, contact the Port Angeles Police Department at (360) 452-4545. If the activity occurred outside the City, but in Clallam County, contact the Clallam County Sheriff's Office at (360) 417-2000. If the activity occurred in the Olympic National Park, contact the National Park Service at (360) 452-4501.

Q. - Where do I pay my parking ticket?

A. - Parking ticket fines may be delivered or mailed to the Port Angeles Police Department, 321 East 5th Street, Port Angeles, WA.

Commonly asked questions of the Prosecution Division of the Legal Department:

Q. - A warrant has been issued for my arrest; how can I get it quashed?

A. - If you are represented by an attorney, you should contact your attorney. If you are not represented by an attorney, contact the District Court in person to be given a new court date and sign a promise to return. The City will not request that the Court quash a warrant.

Q. - Can I speak with a City Prosecutor before I go to court?

A. - Yes; however, the prosecutor will not discuss the merits of the case with you unless and until you have formally waived your right to counsel by signing a waiver form in District Court. Once a waiver has been made, the prosecutor will advise you what the prosecutor would recommend if you were to enter a guilty plea.

Q. - A member of my family has recently been incarcerated; when will he/she appear in court and what will happen?

A. - If the incarceration occurred Sunday through Thursday, the person incarcerated will be brought before the District Court Judge the following morning. If the incarceration was on Friday or Saturday, the appearance in court will be on Monday morning. At the court appearance, conditions of release will be set. If the person qualifies on a financial basis, an attorney could be appointed to represent his or her interests. The court will set a date for the next court appearance. The person could also waive counsel and enter into a plea agreement with the prosecutor.

Q. - Can I get a copy of the police report regarding my case?

A. - Generally, only the attorney representing you is entitled to obtain a copy of the police report as part of the discovery process. If you are representing yourself (pro se), you are entitled to a copy of the report but must comply with the discovery rules.

Q. - Where do I pay my fine/restitution?

A. - At the Clallam County District I Court in the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 East 4th Street, Port Angeles, WA. District I Court can be reached at (360) 417-2425.

Q. - An item of my property was seized as evidence in a case that has been concluded. How can I get it back?

A. - Once the case has been concluded and the appeal time has run, property that is not contraband can be claimed at the Port Angeles Police Department.

Q. - I have received a subpoena. Will the case proceed to trial as scheduled?

A. - Please call (360) 417-4903 beginning the Friday before your appearance is scheduled for a recorded message that will tell you if the matter is proceeding to trial as scheduled or not.

Please Note: We strive to be helpful. However, for ethical reasons, we cannot give legal advice to individual citizens. The Legal Department page was developed to provide general information. Data contained at this location, any City of Port Angeles site, or at any site linked from this or any City location, has not been reviewed for accuracy or legal sufficiency. The documents displayed are for reference purposes only. Their completeness and currency are not guaranteed.

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