In any judicial proceeding for involuntary commitment or detention except under RCW 71.05.201, or in any proceeding challenging involuntary commitment or detention, the prosecuting attorney for the county in which the proceeding was initiated shall represent the individuals or agencies petitioning for commitment or detention and shall defend all challenges to such commitment or detention, except that the attorney general shall represent and provide legal services and advice to state hospitals and state facilities with regard to all provisions of and proceedings under this chapter other than proceedings initiated by such hospitals and facilities seeking 14-day detention.
RCW 71.05.130
Duties of prosecuting attorney and attorney general.
Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case In Re Kossow (1978)
Most recently applied in Kenneth Rawson v. Recovery Innovations, Inc. (September 2020)
2025 c 226 s 4; 2015 c 258 s 4; 1998 c 297 s 7; 1991 c 105 s 3; 1989 c 120 s 4; 1979 ex.s. c 215 s 8; 1973 1st ex.s. c 142 s 18.
Official source: Washington State Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain Washington statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.