Followup: No charge after all, for now, in indecent-exposure case near Chief Sealth

Four days after a 34-year-old Highland Park man was arrested in his van near Chief Sealth International High School and cited for indecent exposure, the City Attorney’s Office says the charge was dropped today, announced when the man appeared in Municipal Court for what was supposed to be an arraignment. CAO spokesperson Kimberly Mills explained via e-mail that the city did not have the jurisdiction to charge him: “The City declined to file in this instance because it is not a crime that can be charged under the Seattle Municipal Code right now. It is a charge that is filed under the Revised Code of Washington (which is the county prosecutor’s purview). The case is being sent to SPD and the county, where it will be considered for a charge in King County District Court.” Mills explained that this type of charge and others WILL be part of the Seattle Municipal Code as of November 1st; here’s the September news release explaining that

West Seattle Hipster October 29, 2013 (4:38 pm)

Literally caught with his pants down, and no charges filed.

What exactly is illegal in Seattle these days?

Wendell October 29, 2013 (4:48 pm)

Great. So any perv can interfere with himself in a public place without penalty? Good grief.

flimflam October 29, 2013 (4:50 pm)

wow. I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised. not really interested in all the fine print as to why, but this seems really wrong…

no October 29, 2013 (4:57 pm)

Oh ok, so it’s legal to do wierd things in your car near schools. I know one thing legal or not if that happens near my kids school punishment will be swift.

Monosyllabic Girl October 29, 2013 (5:25 pm)

To the brave young woman who unfortunately was witness to this and reported it immediately: I’m sorry.

Curtis October 29, 2013 (5:36 pm)

It’s nice to know that, as a nation, we are no longer capable of finishing an entire Blog Entry. Apparently, we can only read the title and maybe the first line. After that, we are compelled to comment using our own personal talking points, regardless of the facts presented by the hardworking journalist.

Short Version – the City can’t charge him, but the County will.

Greta October 29, 2013 (5:47 pm)

Curtis, I think the difference is that if he had been charged by Seattle Municipal Court, it would go on his permanent record. If charged by King County Superior Court I don’t think it would/will go on his permanent record.

LBJ October 29, 2013 (5:56 pm)

Well said, Curtis.
AND after November 1st, there will be Seattle codes against such crimes, just not until Friday.

West Seattle Hipster October 29, 2013 (6:30 pm)

I will be very interested to see if in fact he is charged eventually. With our local criminal justice system’s track record, I doubt he will be.

However, if there are future updates regarding this individual, I am sure WSB will bring them to us.

And Monosyllabic Girl, I couldn’t agree more. I am sorry for the victim of this case and hope she is not affected by this permanently.

Marko October 29, 2013 (7:05 pm)

If the county takes it the guy will likely have broken RCW 9A.88.010 Indecent Exposure. If he’s done it before and convicted he’ll likely be subjected to http://www.wsp.wa.gov/forensics/docs/crimelab/codis_brochure.pdf

madashell October 29, 2013 (7:24 pm)

Great, he got off just before the buzzer….

Cj October 29, 2013 (8:09 pm)

What is going on. Some guy exposed his genitals to my girlfriend today while he was waiting at the bus stop. 911 was called. No word yet

wscommuter October 29, 2013 (11:27 pm)

I am shaking my head at the knee-jerk ignorance here. People – read the WHOLE article. Curtis is exactly correct.

Greta – where on earth do you get such a misinformed idea?!

Being convicted of a crime in either municipal court (City of Seattle) or King County District or Superior Court results in a permanent record. For reals.

For those who don’t know – Seattle’s city court is a “court of limited jurisdiction” – by law. It can only handle misdemeanors. Most all cities do not try to replicate state criminal statutes in their municipal ordinances. That would be redundant and a waste of money.

The King County Prosecutor’s Office will decide if they have enough evidence to charge a crime under the Revised Code of Washington – title 9A. If the evidence really is that the guy was caught masturbating, he’ll be charged, rest assured. And the advantage of a state charge is that it can be charged as being done with “sexual motivation” (as opposed to someone who exposes themselves by peeing in the bushes) – which can also mean being required to register as a sex offender. Many more options in the state system.