Need justice for a loved one?

1. Get a lawyer. (and get familiar with the laws yourself. Know your rights, etc.)
   1. www.Alllaw.com has free legal information
   2. WA state law on lawful use of force in self-defense: ​​https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.16.020 
2. Request public documents. (Here’s how to do that…)
   1. Autopsy and Investigator Report (you must be a family member): 
      1. King County records request - https://kingcounty.gov/depts/health/examiner/families/records-requests.aspx 
   2. Medical records - Ask the hospital for these. The police may ask YOU for a copy.
   3. 911 recording, if available (some are deleted within 90 days so act quickly!)
   4. Police report and fire department records -
      1. Seattle public records request - https://city-seattle.mycusthelp.com/webapp/_rs/(S(qtub5xdhuvxvlw4ozlbgxlku))/supporthome.aspx?sSessionID=5020677181VDDGNXBMFMKEJECJPJUYZIZPEJTUIV 
3. Establish and stay in contact with detectives. (Advice/tips on how to interact)
   1. If the lead detective is unknown, call the police department and ask for their information. Get the case number. Call regularly for updates. 
   2. Focus on getting facts. Ask questions. Have information explained. Take notes. Record the conversation. You may be emotional and not remember everything.
4. Contact local and state representatives. (Create a form letter you can send to each. Provide your contact info. Ask them specifically what you would like for them to do to help. I.e. contact the prosecutor’s office, etc.)
   1. Local - City Council Members in Seattle https://www.seattle.gov/cityclerk/agendas-and-legislative-resources/find-your-council-district 
   2. District and State - https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder/ 
5. Contact advocacy groups (Create a form letter you can send to each. Provide your contact info. Ask them specifically what you would like for them to do to help.)
   1. ACLU:
      1. Find your local ACLU affiliate - https://www.aclu.org/about/affiliates?redirect=affiliates 
      2. Get help in Washington https://www.aclu-wa.org/pages/about-getting-help 
   2. Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH) https://homelessinfo.org/ 
   3. All Home King County - http://allhomekc.org/ 
   4. Real Change News - https://www.realchangenews.org/ 
6. Contact the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office 
   1. For King County: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/prosecutor.aspx 
7. Organize events for awareness.
   1. The importance of friends and family coming together is immeasurable. Be there for each other. Besides celebrating the life of your loved one, use the time to organize. Be proactive. Get a call list going. Decide how to stay in contact. Who should be making contacts.
   2. Inform the press.
8. Don’t give up! (Be prepared to spend a long time -years- fighting for justice.)

Other tips…

• Stay organized. Get a notebook, folder, etc to keep all info in one area. 
• Be prepared to share contact info (for attorneys, police, etc.) with others repeatedly. Keep it in an easy to find location.
• **** If you want to file a complaint against the police department, be forewarned… Per the ACLU, “If there are criminal charges pending or being investigated, please consult with an attorney before filing a complaint with the police since statements made in any complaint could be used against you in the criminal proceedings.” ****