King County Prosecuting Attorney Kimberly Wyatt on Using ERPOs to Disrupt Gun Violence
Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Kimberly Wyatt recently appeared on The Pop-Up to discuss key preventative measures in the fight against gun violence. Representing the King County Prosecutor’s Office, Wyatt joined host The Big O during "Together We End Gun Violence Week" to highlight tools that intervene before tragedies occur.
A Shift Toward Prevention
Wyatt emphasized that while prosecutors typically respond to crimes after they happen, her current work focuses on civil intervention to disrupt potential violence. She is part of the Regional Domestic Violence Firearms Enforcement Unit—a collaborative effort between the King County Prosecutor's Office, the City Attorney, the King County Sheriff’s Office, and the Seattle Police Department.
Understanding the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO)
A major focus of the discussion was the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO), often referred to nationally as a "red flag law.” Wyatt provided an in-depth look at how this tool works in Washington:
Purpose: The order is designed for individuals exhibiting warning signs that they pose a significant danger to themselves or others.
Specific Scope: Unlike other protection orders, an ERPO is narrowly tailored to firearms and concealed pistol licenses; it does not necessarily restrain contact between parties, making it a useful tool for families living in the same household.
The Process: The process begins with a sworn petition to a judge detailing the concerning behaviors, such as suicidal ideation, threats of mass violence, or crisis-related behaviors like shooting through walls due to delusions.
Emergency Intervention: A judge can issue a temporary emergency order effective for 14 days, requiring the immediate surrender of firearms and updating databases to block pending gun purchases.
Due Process: A formal hearing is held within those 14 days, where the individual has the right to provide witnesses and respond before a judge decides whether to extend the order for up to one year.
The Role of Compassion in Crisis
Wyatt spoke passionately about the impact of these orders on individuals in their lowest moments. She noted that while some are unhappy with the intervention, many others ultimately thank the crisis response officers for caring enough to save their lives. She encouraged the public to observe ERPO hearings, which are open via Zoom, to see the compassion and specialized training officers use when interacting with people in crisis.
Together We End Gun Violence
For Wyatt, the theme of the week means leaning into every available tool and refusing to work in a silo. By utilizing preventative civil orders, she believes the community can successfully move individuals off the "pathway to violence.”
Those seeking more information or assistance with protection orders can reach Wyatt’s team at erpo@kingcounty.gov or visit protectionorder.org.
Tune in to The Pop-Up! weeknights at 9 p.m. on the Converge Media YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@ConvergeMedia.
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