Criminal Division (Prosecution)

Municipal Prosecutor: Dennis Wheeler (Appointed 2024 )

The Criminal Division prosecutes misdemeanor crimes within Anchorage. Municipal misdemeanor crimes are detailed in Title 8 and Title 9 of Anchorage Municipal Code. Criminal Division attorneys and staff investigate and prosecute thousands of crimes each year.

Criminal violations frequently investigated and prosecuted include (among others):

Operating Under the Influence (OUI), Driving While License Suspended/Revoked/Cancelled (DWLS/R/C), and Driving Without Insurance (DWOI) charges against the driver
Domestic violence
Assault
Theft
Vehicle tampering
Trespass

Public Defense

The Municipality provides independent defense counsel to all indigent defendants by contract with the State of Alaska Public Defender Agency. If you are a defendant in a municipal prosecution and need information on your defense, please contact the Public Defender Agency at 907-334-4400 or visit http://pda.doa.alaska.gov/home/.

Note on Driving Charges
For OUI, DWLS/R/C, and DWOI charges, even if a vehicle is released/declined by Vehicle Impounds, criminal charges against the driver may still be ongoing, and the driver may still need to show up for arraignment in court. If they do not show up for arraingment, the court may issue a bench warrant to arrest the driver.