Meet Jennifer.

I am a career prosecutor currently serving the citizens of Pacific County as the Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor. In this role, I handle the majority of felony prosecutions within the county. I have dedicated more than 10 years to public service as a prosecutor and proudly call South Bend, Washington home. I am also the Westport City Prosecutor.

I was raised in Lacey, Washington, and earned my Associate of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies from South Puget Sound Community College. I later attended The Evergreen State College, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Law and Social Science. I continued my legal education at St. Thomas University School of Law before returning to Washington to begin my prosecutorial career.

Before joining Pacific County, I served with the Grays Harbor County Prosecutor's Office as the county’s felony sex crimes prosecutor. I later advanced to Chief Criminal Deputy Prosecutor, where I supervised and prosecuted a wide range of serious and violent felony offenses.

During my time in Grays Harbor County, I helped establish the Grays Harbor Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Working collaboratively with the Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office, the Aberdeen Police Department, and the Seattle Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, I assisted in securing critical training, equipment, and funding for the program. Through the dedication of local detectives and law enforcement partners, we successfully investigated and prosecuted offenders who received substantial prison sentences for crimes committed against children. Helping build and support this task force remains one of the proudest accomplishments of my career.

My Approach

Prosecution:

My philosophy on prosecution is rooted in the belief that a prosecutor’s primary duty is to seek justice. Seeking justice means carefully considering what is best for the community, the victim, and the defendant while ensuring appropriate accountability is imposed. Every case is unique, and each must be evaluated individually with fairness, integrity, and public safety in mind.

I also believe in exercising sound judgment when making charging and bail decisions.Prosecutors have a responsibility to appropriately charge crimes based on the facts and the law. They must also recognize when bail is necessary to protect victims, and ensure public safety. These decisions must be made thoughtfully, consistently, and with a clear understanding of their impact on both the community and the justice system as a whole.

Leadership:

Leadership is about far more than simply being in charge. True leadership means taking responsibility when challenges arise and giving credit to others when successes are achieved. Throughout my time in Pacific County, I have worked to establish clear policies and procedures that promote professionalism, accountability, and improved productivity within the office.

I believe we must support and invest in our employees so they feel valued, take pride in their work, and are motivated to build long-term careers in Pacific County. Creating a professional and supportive workplace strengthens continuity within the Prosecutor’s Office and ultimately benefits the entire community.