Featured News
May 6, 2026OPD is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a community event on August 4, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Ashho Cultural Center. The event will recognize three decades of service and commitment to advancing public defense and supporting communities across Washington state.
Community membe…
The Seattle TimesApr 5, 2026The Seattle Times investigated the Department of Social and Health Services’ 71.09 Special Commitment Center on McNeil Island. The most recent article asks if civil commitment of people with profound disabilities is appropriate.
Public DefenselessMar 23, 2026Listen to OPD staff discuss Washington’s advocacy for parents facing dependency and termination findings, and keeping families together.
Upcoming Events
- Wed, May 13 - Fri, May 15 2026, All day
- Tue, Jun 2 - Thu, Jun 4 2026, All day
- Thu, Jun 25 2026, 10am - 12pm
- Tue, Aug 4 2026, 1 - 3pm
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.