News
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…
The Supreme Court adopted JuCR 7.16 in February of 2021 limiting the issuance of warrants in juvenile matters to instances when the juvenile posed a serious threat to public safety. Three years later…
Jul 2, 2025 - GR 37: Historical Underpinnings and Recent Case Law
The Washington State Office of Public Defense is offering a free webinar presented by Lila Silverstein. It has been seven years since the Washington Supreme Court adopted GR 37, Washington’s landmark…
After the unanimous passage of SB 5780 in the 2024 Legislative Session, the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) established a Recruitment and Retention Program. The program addresses the…
Supreme Court of Washington Order No. 25700-A-1644.
In the matter of the standards for indigent defense implementation of CrR 3.1, CrRLJ 3.1, AND JuCR 9.2.
Starting in 2026, felony defenders will…
May 8, 2025 - “Pretrial (Let Her Go Home)” by Fiona Apple [Video]
On any given day, 190,600 women and girls are incarcerated in the United States, over 60,000 women are detained pretrial, presumed innocent, caged in U.S. jails simply because they cannot afford to…
Applications for the Spring Criminal Defense Training Academy (CDTA) closed on February 18, 2025. However, you may still register to be placed on the waitlist.
CDTA is designed for newer lawyers but…
Feb 10, 2025 - Voices of Success: Certified Comeback
DCYF released this wonderful video featuring OPD’s fabulous Shrounda Selivanoff, former DCYF Ross Secretary Hunter (and also from DCYF Cindy Hostetler) talking about the Certificate of Parental…
Awareness of the Blake decision and relief opportunities is growing in-state and across state borders, through grassroots community efforts. These dedicated outreach efforts between the…
Nov 26, 2024 - Senate Bill 5046 Report to the Legislature
As directed by the Washington Legislature, the Office of Public Defense reports on its implementation of SB 5046. This report identifies systemic barriers and recommends reforms to improve access to…