Featured News

  • Smiling man with medium dark skin wearing a ball cap.
    Jun 10, 2024

    Kimonti Carter (pictured here) was convicted of aggravated murder and received a mandatory life sentence without parole for this offense committed in 1997 when he was 18 years old. In 2021 the state Supreme Court ruled that such sentences are unconstitutional for 18, 19 and 20 year olds. Kimonti…

  • Judge hammer and documents on background
    Municipal Research and Services Center
    May 6, 2024

    This blog will address some frequently asked questions about how the revisions to the WSBA…

  • A line of paper people under a magnifying glass
    Apr 1, 2024

    In light of the statewide shortage, OPD surveyed public defense attorneys to better learn what factors keep them in the field, what drive them away, and what steps can be taken to retain them. In addition to these survey results, OPD also offers a variety of ideas to help…

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Larry Jefferson - Director
Larry Jefferson

From the Director

The Office of Public Defense believes in providing justice through service to our community, prioritizing equity and excellence in all we do. Ensuring justice means embracing a multidisciplinary approach to providing public defense services, ensuring that each individual is met where they are at with the help they need in their case. 

This core value propels our team of dedicated advocates to address the far-reaching causes and consequences of justice involvement. We are dedicated to collaborating across disciplines, pooling diverse expertise and perspectives to accomplish our mission.

We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to our partners and supporters, who are integral to our efforts to break down the barriers that stand in the way of access to justice for all. Together, we can champion a system that ensures justice for every individual, family, and community in the State of Washington.

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