Resources to support counties and cities in managing and improving public defense services.
Grant Opportunities
DOJ Public Defense Resource Hub
The PD Hub provides information on federal resources and materials that may be used in support of public defense. This PD Hub collects funding opportunities from across the federal government, court filings, relevant Justice Department news, and research for professionals providing public defense services, public defense commissions, and related organizations.
DOJ | PD Hub ►
State Funding
Defense Improvement Funds
Washington State offers grants to help cities and counties improve public defense services. These funds are used for real, measurable improvements.
Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation Program (SPAR)
OPD can reimburse localities for eligible public defense costs related to representation on simple drug possession or public use charges in courts of limited jurisdiction.
Extraordinary Criminal Justice Costs
RCW 43.330.190 establishes a procedure for counties to request reimbursement for costs incurred in aggravated murder cases.
OPD | State Funding ►
Guidance on Public Defense Administration
- WSBA Standards for Indigent Defense Revised 09/2024
- ABA Ten Principles of a Public Defense System
- Wilbur v. Mount Vernon (Case Overview)
- Sample Interview Questions for Public Defense Roles
Caseloads & Workload Standards
- WA Supreme Court Order Adopting Caseload Standards (June 2025)
- WA Supreme Court Standards for Indigent Defense
- FAQs: Caseloads and Workloads
WSBA Council on Public Defense
Related Advisories:
- May 2021: Pandemic Impact on Caseloads
- Jan 2022: Statement on Workloads
- July 2022: Call for Relief from Excessive Workloads
Additional Tools:
- ABA Guidelines on Excessive Workloads
- Caseload Calculators
- Certification of Compliance with Standards (CrR 3.1, CrRLJ 3.1, JuCR 9.2, MPR 2.1)
Legal and Policy Resources
- RCW 10.101 – Indigency & Defense Standards
- RCW 36.26 – County Public Defender Districts
- Key Public Defense Case Law
- Court Rule GR 42: Independence of Public Defense (Effective Jan 1, 2023)
Free Case Consultations for Defense Attorneys
Additional Resources
- Indigency Screening Forms & Materials
- LFO Calculator
- Attorney Recruitment & Retention
- Social Workers in Public Defense
- ABA 2023 Plea Bargain Task Force Report
- TX Guide to Public Defender Oversight Boards
Contact Us
Need help with public defense in your city or county?
Phone: 360-586-3164 ext. 212