The Civil Division of the Prosecuting Attorney's office is the County's law firm and acts as the legal advisor to the County Commissioners, other elected officials and departments within Benton County. The Prosecuting Attorney does not give legal advice to the public on matters which private attorneys handle, for example, divorce, landlord tenant issues, contracts.
The Civil Division works closely with its clients in solving a wide range of legal problems by issuing formal written opinions and memoranda, providing day-to-day legal advice and handling civil litigation to which Benton County is a party, whether as plaintiff or defendant.
The Civil Division emphasizes early stage legal consultation with its clients as a preventative strategy to head off potential litigation. That strategy, combined with a determined and aggressive defense of lawsuits filed against Benton County, has proven to be a successful deterrent in the County's favor.
The Civil Division also represents the State of Washington with respect to proceedings where judicial orders of commitment and treatment are sought against persons with mental health illnesses.
The Civil Division is led by Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey Aultman along with the following attorneys:
Assistant Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney
Brendan Siefken
LeeAnn Holt
Reid Hay
Bryce Gillis
