Mission Statement

The PAO's mission is to serve the interests of justice by handling cases efficiently and fairly, while balancing the interests of accountability and public safety.  Our goal is to provide progressive and effective legal counsel for our King County clients by problem solving and creating solutions.
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Office Overview

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office employs over 500 people, including 235 attorneys.  King County, which includes Seattle, has an approximate population of 1, 827,000.

The Criminal Division represents the state and the county in criminal matters in the King County District and Superior Courts, the state and federal courts of appeal, and the Washington and U.S. Supreme Courts.  The Criminal Division is responsible for prosecuting all felonies in King County and all misdemeanors in unincorporated areas of King County.

The Civil Division is the County's law firm.  It serves as legal counsel to the Metropolitan King County Council, the County Executive and all Executive agencies, the Superior and District Courts, the County Assessor, independent boards and commissions, and some school districts.  The division litigates cases on behalf and in defense of its clients, provides legal advice and assistance on all sorts of questions and projects, and issues formal written legal opinions from time to time.

The Family Support Division is an integral part of the federal and state child support system.  The deputies establish paternity for children born out of wedlock, ensure support obligations are enforced, and modify support amounts when necessary.
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Biography:  Dan Satterberg

Dan Satterberg, 49, was elected King County Prosecuting Attorney in November 2007 to succeed his longtime friend and mentor, the late Norm Maleng. 

Dan served as Chief of Staff for Norm Maleng for 17 years, and was responsible for the management and operation of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, including budget, human resources, technology, legislative and policy matters.  The Prosecuting Attorney's Office employs more than 235 attorneys, 268 staff, and has a budget of over $56 million.

Before 1990, Dan was a trial attorney in the Criminal Division, where he spent rotations in the Special Assault Unit, Drug Unit, and served as the office's first gang prosecutor in 1988.  He tried approximately six homicide trials in his 4 years in the Criminal Division.

Dan was born and raised in South King County and attended Highline High School.  His father was a lawyer in White Center and his mother was a nursing instructor at Highline Community College.  He graduated from the UW undergraduate school (Political Science and Journalism) and the UW Law School, where he met his wife Linda, a corporate lawyer.

They live in Normandy Park with their two children, ages 17and 13.  Dan's hobbies include his rock band, "The Approximations" where he plays bass and sings, hiking, running, and traveling with his family.
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