Could a county offer a reward before felony charges were filed, and could a sheriff claim a county reward?

Plain-English summary

The Washington AG said county commissioners lacked authority under the then-current reward statute to offer a reward for an uncharged felony suspect, and therefore could not spend county money advertising that reward. It also said a sheriff, deputy, or other peace officer could not claim a county reward for apprehending someone when that work was part of official duty.

The official opinion states: “A county has no authority to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest of a person against whom no criminal charge has been filed.” (source).

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1958. Subsequent statutory amendments, court decisions, or later AG opinions may have changed the analysis. Treat this page as historical context, not current legal advice. Verify current law before relying on any specific rule, deadline, or remedy mentioned here.

Common questions

Q: Could the county offer a reward for an uncharged suspect?
A: No. The statute was limited to persons convicted of or charged with a felony.

Q: Could it print posters for that unauthorized reward?
A: No. The AG said county funds could not be used for that purpose.

Q: Could a sheriff claim a county reward?
A: No. The AG treated apprehension of wanted persons as a duty for which an officer could not claim a reward.

Background and statutory framework

The Lewis County prosecutor asked three questions about county reward authority. The AG applied RCW 10.85.030’s charged-or-convicted language and the public-policy rule against paying officers an extra reward for ordinary duties.

Source

• Landing page: https://www.atg.wa.gov/ago-opinions/counties-authority-offer-rewards-when-counties-may-authorize-officer-rewards-right

Original opinion text

Attorney General John J. O'Connell

COUNTIES ‑- AUTHORITY TO OFFER REWARDS ‑- WHEN COUNTIES MAY AUTHORIZEOFFICER ‑- REWARDS ‑- RIGHT TO CLAIM

A county has no authority to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest of a person against whom no criminal charge has been filed.

It is against public policy for sheriffs, their deputies, or other peace officers to claim a reward offered by a county for apprehending persons wanted for, or charged with, a crime.

January 17, 1958

Honorable John Panesko
Prosecuting Attorney of Lewis County
Security State Bank Building
Chehalis, Washington Cite as: AGO 57-58 No. 148

Dear Sir:

You have asked the opinion of this office on three questions involving an interpretation of RCW 10.85.030. We have phrased your questions as follows:

(1) Can the county commissioners offer a reward for "information leading to the arrest and conviction" of a person "suspected" of the commission of a felony where no criminal charge has been filed?

(2) In such cases, can county funds be expended to print and put up posters offering the reward?

(3) Is it against public policy for the sheriff or a regular member of his staff to receive a reward so offered?

We answer the first two questions in the negative and the third in the affirmative.

[[Orig. Op. Page 2]]

ANALYSIS

RCW 10.85.030, authorizing the offering of rewards by county commissioners, provides as follows:

"The county commissioners in the several counties of the state, when in their opinion the public good requires it, are hereby authorized to offer and pay a suitable reward, not to exceed five hundred dollars in any one case, to any person or persons who, in consequence of such offer apprehends, brings back and secures any person or persons, convicted of or charged with any criminal offense, if the offense be a felony."

(1) It is well established that counties, as instrumentalities of the state, have no powers except those expressly conferred by the constitution and statutes, or which are reasonably or necessarily implied from granted powers; and that county commissioners, as servants of the county, have only those powers which have been expressly delegated to them by specific statutory language or by necessary implications therefrom. State ex rel. Taylor v. Superior Court (1940), 2 Wn. (2d) 575.

The statute in question specifically limits the county commissioners to offering and paying rewards only for apprehending a person "convicted of or charged with" a felony. Consequently, we find no authority under this statute authorizing the offering of a reward for information leading to the arrest of a person against whom no criminal charge has been filed. (See also 15 AGO 8 [[1915-16 OAG 8 to R. M. Burgunder, Prosecuting Attorney, Whitman County on January 21, 1915]].) against whom no criminal charge has been filed. (See also 15 AGO 8.)

(2) Obviously, since the offering of a reward in such cases is unauthorized, county funds cannot be expended for printing and putting up such posters. County funds can only be expended for a purpose specifically provided by law, and it is incumbent upon officers disbursing such funds to find their authority actually granted by the legislature. (1905 AGO 3;Abstract Co. v. Anderson, 9 Wash. 349.)

(3) It is a well-settled principle, based on public policy, that an officer cannot lawfully claim a reward for the performance of a service which it was his duty to discharge. 46 Am. Jur. 114, Rewards, § 17. Sheriffs and their deputies have a duty, along with other peace officers, to apprehend persons wanted for, or charged with, a crime. The mere fact that the reward is one authorized [[Orig. Op. Page 3]] by the county, as contrasted to one which may be offered by members of the public, does not change this rule. It is against public policy for a peace officer to claim a reward for the performance of a duty imposed upon him by law. (Cf. 1904 AGO 326, AGO 55-57 No. 235.) That the duties of the sheriff include the apprehension of persons charged with crime is obvious (RCW 36.28.010). Neither the sheriff nor his deputies may claim any reward offered by the county commissioners under RCW 10.85.030.

We trust this information will be helpful to you.

Very truly yours,

JOHN J. O'CONNELL
Attorney General

MITCHELL DOUMIT
Assistant Attorney General