Everett lawmakers approve measure that gives 30-day jail sentence to repeat offenders

EVERETT, Wash. — The Everett City Council approved an ordinance Wednesday night that would allow prosecutors to seek a minimum 30-day jail sentence for repeat offenders.

Everett's city council passed the measure by a vote of four to two. As part of the decision, offenders who commit certain crimes within city limits could be required to serve at least a 30-day jail sentence if they have two or more prior offense convictions from anywhere in Snohomish County in the two years prior.

Qualifying prior offenses include assault, harassment, use of a controlled substance in public, loitering to engage in drug-related activity, theft, criminal mischief, trespass, or vehicle prowling.

RELATED: Everett City Council debates 30-day jail sentence ordinance for repeat offenders

City council members said the new sentencing guidelines will not be automatically enforced. Instead, they told KOMO News the prosecutor's office would be required to file a notice that they are seeking the sentencing enhancement. From there, defendants would be sentenced to jail if they did not comply with the orders given by the municipal court's mental health alternatives program or the therapeutic services court.

Additionally, defendants would still be able to opt for a diversion agreement that would get them into treatment programs. During a city council meeting last week, Assistant City Attorney Lacey Offutt spoke on the proposed ordinance.

“The vision is that it will be a tool to help drive people into diversions to avoid lengthy jail time," said Offutt. She added this would help get repeat offenders into treatment. "The 30-day jail time will impose enough time for them to detox and make clear decisions about their future.

As part of the new measure, Everett city departments will now be required to issue a yearly report on how the ordinance's arrests and convictions impacted minority communities.