Sheriff’s civil deputy looks to simplify fees at sheriff's office

Posted

Jimmy Hall

jhall@ptleader.com

 

Jefferson County Sheriff’s office is proposing a host of changed, increased or deleted fees, one of which having to do with extended civil standbys. 

Trevor Hansen, chief civil deputy, and Philip Hunsucker, chief civil deputy prosecuting attorney, presented the proposed changes to the Jefferson County Commissioners at the July 16 session. Hansen explained the fees proposed to be restructured, saying he reviewed all the civil fees to determine which services were billed and which ones should not be.

Hansen described civil standys as a measure to “keep the peace presence” used for deputies to be with the person who would not otherwise go due to restraining order. Hansen said there has been an increase in those types of civil standbys, including those that go for several hours.

Usually, the sheriff's office asks if an attorney, victim advocate or family members can fill in the role of what a deputy would have done in their stead, though court order is also another reason deputies are on scene. 

“I'm proposing another additional fee to cover some of our expenses for longer civil standbys,” he said, adding it would be $60 per hour and $20 scheduling fee.

Answering a question from a commissioner about what would happen if a deputy, who is performing a civil standby, is called out on an emergent call, Hansen replied the deputy would have them split and not interact until they return. The time away from the scene wouldn’t be charged to the citizen. 

Hansen clarified these fees could be waived for those who are in crisis, which is happening currently without codified authority on all protective orders, saying there has not been any issues with both protective and other process and civil enforcement services. He added that civil standbys would still be provided in the realm of 15-30 without costs. “There are alternatives for those who choose to take them,” he said, listing others who can perform the same duty as a deputy. 

“The Sheriff's Civil Office is responsible for, in addition of supervising courthouse and courtroom security, we handle process service throughout the county and enforcement of court orders in non-criminal cases,” Hansen said, listing a few like evictions, repossession of vehicles and sales under judicial foreclosure. 

Under RCW 36.18, which outlines the sheriff civil fees, stating the sheriff cannot provide services for private litigation free of charge. These fees, Hansen proposed, deal with those type of services.

Hansen ran down a list of fees that would be changed or added. 

“For a number of years, we've provided process service without cost for any process or court paperwork for protection orders,” he explained, adding they do not want a cost to deter any who need them. “There is no RCW that permits that waiver, but we've done it in the interest of safety.” 

Other language changed would cover several different types of fees, such as cancellation fees between banks and the office. 

Another change would be a mechanism as to when the fees are updated. The current county code reads rolls upward of 25 cents, according to the Consumer Price Index, which Hansen said is hard to implement and keep clients aware. His proposal would roll up to the nearest dollar amount unless it is more than 10 percent every biennium. Other changes is bringing up fees to better compare to other surrounding counties. 

Typically, the office asks for a deposit upfront, depending on what services are provided, but can be written off if not paid based on the circumstance.

Commissioners moved to schedule a public hearing for 10:30 a.m. Aug. 3.