Featured News
Seattle Times Staff Reporter, Daniel Beekman writes, "When you’re charged with a crime that could put you behind bars and you don’t have enough money to pay an attorney to defend you, the government is supposed to provide you with one. But that isn’t happening in some communities across Washingto…
The state is running low on public defenders and the Director of the Office of Public Defense says the situation is dire.
Between growing caseloads and attorneys quitting faster than they’re getting hired, defenders are working around the clock to represent those who can’t afford attorneys on their own. View the full story.- The Office of Public Defense (OPD) has asked the court to restrict assignments of new clients to public defenders unless their current open caseload is below 60 percent of the state’s current caseload limits. OPD has also asked the court to order a 90-day moratorium on the assignment of new felony out-of-custody clients to public defenders beginning Jan. 1, 2024. “The state criminal public defense system is in crisis,” said OPD Director Larry Jefferson.
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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.
