News
Applications for the Criminal Defense Training Academy are due February 18th, 2025. CDTA is designed for newer lawyers but is open to anyone who practices public defense in Washington. To apply for…
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…
Aug 21, 2024 - Blake Refund - Beyond Boundaries Preview: Washington Office of the Courts & Office of Public Defense
For this Beyond Boundaries interview, Robin Zimmermann from Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts and Chris Graves from Washington Office of Public Defense discuss the work they'…
Jul 29, 2024 - Family Reunification Month
Washington Courts Report - Episode 2: Family Reunification Month with Tonia McClanahan
Jul 25, 2024 - Reimagining How Cases End & Families Evolve
Shrounda Selivanoff and Tara Urs authored the linked article explaining the importance of new legislation that prioritizes resolving family dependency cases with guardianship instead of defaulting to…
Jul 25, 2024 - Love Does Not End
"If we leave the door open to change, we can welcome healing. But if we lock the doors, we deny ourselves the beauty of one another." Please read this touching story by our own Shrounda Selivanoff,…
Interim Seattle police chief Sue Rahr issued a directive this month clarifying that a 2021 state law doesn't stop police from questioning juveniles who witness crimes.
Why it matters:…
If law enforcement follows the law as it’s written, and as the prosecutor has told them to, we can protect vulnerable youth in police custody, writes the author.
Jun 10, 2024 - Freedom
Kimonti Carter (pictured here) was convicted of aggravated murder and received a mandatory life sentence without parole for this offense committed in 1997 when he was 18 years old. In 2021 the state…