Defense Improvement Funds
Chapter 10.101.050 RCW: Indigent Defense Services establishes a state-funded grant program to improve public defense services in cities and counties. Grant funds are to be used to make appreciable, demonstrable improvements in the delivery of public defense services. Each year, OPD distributes more than one million dollars to cities for making and/or sustaining improvements to public defense. Cities may apply for these grant funds under a competitive program described in Chapter 10.101 RCW. Each county that applies for Chapter 10.101 RCW funds receives a pro-rata share of available state funding, based on the formula and other criteria in RCW 10.101.070.
Extraordinary Criminal Justice Costs
Chapter 43.330.190 RCW establishes a procedure for counties to request reimbursement for costs incurred in aggravated murder cases. Our office processes the petitions in consultation with the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys and the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and submits a prioritized list of petitions that are recommended for funding to the Legislature.
Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation Program (SPAR)
Chapter 2.70.200 RCW authorizes OPD to reimburse localities for eligible public defense costs related to representation on simple drug possession or public use charges in courts of limited jurisdiction. Our Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation (SPAR) Program administers and disburses these funds.