A King County judge on Monday said a private attorney who served Pierce County leaders a demand for mediation on behalf of Sheriff Keith Swank harmed voters who elected Prosecutor Mary Robnett to be the chief legal advisor to the county.
Judge Michael Ryan granted Robnett a preliminary injunction prohibiting the attorney, Joan Mell, from holding herself out as Swank’s legal representation in his official capacity as sheriff. Ryan said the county charter, case law and the state constitution acknowledge that it is a primary function of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to provide legal advice to county officials.
Swank sat two rows behind Robnett in the gallery of a 7th-floor courtroom during the hearing in the King County Courthouse. Afterward, Swank decried Ryan’s order as “terrible” and a violation of his 6th Amendment, which guarantees individuals the right to an attorney in criminal matters, among other rights…