Featured News
Yakima Herald-RepublicMar 28, 2024Washington's public defense system has been overextended for some time. It's underfunded and understaffed, making it difficult — sometimes impossible — for publicly paid court-appointed attorneys to keep up with caseloads.
Yakima Herald-RepublicApr 5, 2024The U.S. Constitution guarantees defendants a right to a speedy trial. In Washington, that means people arraigned on a criminal charge have to be brought to trial within two months if they are being held in custody, or three months if they were released on bail or their own recognizance.
Methow Valley NewsMar 8, 2024State funding covers fraction of local costs
Public defenders for Okanogan County — the lawyers who represent defendants who can’t afford to hire their own attorney — are juggling such overwhelming caseloads that they could surpass the maximum number of cases they’re allowed to handle before the year is out.
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From the Director
The Office of Public Defense believes in providing justice through service to our community, prioritizing equity and excellence in all we do. Ensuring justice means embracing a multidisciplinary approach to providing public defense services, ensuring that each individual is met where they are at with the help they need in their case.
This core value propels our team of dedicated advocates to address the far-reaching causes and consequences of justice involvement. We are dedicated to collaborating across disciplines, pooling diverse expertise and perspectives to accomplish our mission.
We want to extend our sincerest gratitude to our partners and supporters, who are integral to our efforts to break down the barriers that stand in the way of access to justice for all. Together, we can champion a system that ensures justice for every individual, family, and community in the State of Washington.
