News
May 19, 2026 - 'That Conviction Followed Me Everywhere’: How Blake Decision Law Changed One Man’s Life
The Blake decision significantly impacted this man’s life. Hundreds of thousands more people still need relief.
May 18, 2026 - For SF's public defenders, resistance is the new black
San Francisco public defenders wore all black in a silent protest over heavy caseloads, understaffing, and burnout. They said chronic underfunding is making it harder to provide adequate legal…
OPD 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…
What WA’s controversial ‘insanity defense’ really means. This verdict is rare in Washington courts.
The Seattle Times- May 4, 2026
The 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…
Listen to OPD staff discuss Washington’s advocacy for parents facing dependency and termination findings, and keeping families together.
Jan 6, 2026 - Tipping Point- Public Defense in Crisis
This documentary explores the ramifications of a severe shortage of available public defenders across Washington. It highlights the challenges faced by defendants and victims alike when no attorneys…
Hundreds of thousands of drug convictions became eligible to be cleared after Washington state's criminal drug law was struck down in 2021 — but fewer than half have been vacated, and the state money…
Nov 10, 2025 - Native American Children Significantly More Likely to Be Arrested, Detained in Washington
Before and after trial and even for low-level nonviolent crimes, Native American youths are locked up at higher rates.
In making bond determinations, judges often emphasize criminal history as a factor to keep our clients in custody. However, data shows that BIPOC individuals are charged, convicted, and sentenced at…