If you've been arrested in King County, a major policy change recently went into effect in October 2025 that could affect your case. King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion rolled out a strict 30-day case review deadline that fundamentally changes how criminal cases move through the system. For you, this means the clock is already ticking, and what happens in the next 30 days could determine whether formal charges are ever filed against you.

Most people arrested in King County make a critical mistake: they wait. They wait for the summons. They wait to see what charges the prosecutor files. But under this new policy, waiting means you miss the single most important opportunity to influence your case before it becomes a case at all.

If you've been arrested in King County in the last 30 days, contact a criminal defense attorney immediately. Every day you wait is a day you lose leverage.

What Changed in October 2025

Before October 2025, King County had a backlog problem. Cases could sit in limbo for 100 days or more while prosecutors decided whether to file charges. Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion changed that with a mandatory 30-day case review policy for all new arrests.

Now, within 30 days of an arrest, prosecutors must make one of three decisions: file formal charges, decline to file charges, or request additional investigation from law enforcement. According to reporting from the Seattle Times in late 2025, the policy has succeeded in moving cases faster through the initial review stage. But speed cuts both ways. For defendants, it means less time to present your side before the prosecutor makes a life-changing decision.

Why the First 30 Days Are Your Golden Window

During these first 30 days, the case is still in review. The prosecutor is gathering information and making an initial assessment. This is the moment when you have maximum influence.

A defense attorney can contact the prosecutor's office directly and provide information that the police report doesn't include:

- Proof that you've entered treatment for substance abuse

- Character references from employers or community members

- Medical records or mental health treatment documentation

- Witness statements that contradict the police narrative

- Evidence of your ties to the community

The prosecutor is making a decision anyway. The question is whether they make it with only the police version of events or with a complete picture that includes context and mitigating factors.

What Happens If You Wait

If you wait until you receive a summons in the mail, the decision has already been made. Charges have been filed. Your attorney is no longer trying to prevent charges but fighting to reduce them or get them dismissed after the fact. That's a much harder fight. Once charges are filed, prosecutors have invested time and resources. Cases take on institutional momentum.

What a Defense Attorney Does During the Golden Window

Your criminal defense attorney will begin working on your case immediately. They will review the police report to identify weaknesses in the case and gather mitigating evidence. Next, they’ll prepare a mitigation packet with documentation, medical records, treatment enrollment, and character letters. Most importantly, they communicate directly with the assigned prosecutor during the review period, explaining context and highlighting mitigating factors as the decision is being made.

Take Action Now - Call Our Seattle Defense Law Firm

If you've been arrested in King County, you're already inside the 30-day window. Every day counts. Don't wait for the summons. Don't assume nothing will happen. Don't try to handle this alone. Contact an experienced King County criminal defense attorney at Lewis and Laws today. This is your chance to stop a criminal case before it starts.