Public Safety: Washington’s underfunded public defense system is forcing counties to release defendants or delay justice, creating an urgent public safety crisis that only the Legislature can fix by stepping up to fund its share. (Click to expand)

• The public safety crisis is here. When counties can’t assign defense attorneys, counties must release defendants or delay justice.
  • This is happening now: the Spokane County public defender’s office refused more cases 9 days into September and two weeks into October. This means accused people will wait in jail until for 72 hours, and then they will walk. The crisis is here.
  • We don’t have to agree with the public defender’s office interpretation of the new caseload standards, but until the Supreme Court intervenes, or the Legislature acts, these are the consequences of new standards on top of a shortage of public defenders, and not enough county funds to fix it.
  • The Legislature must step up and fairly fund public defense.
  • It’s only a matter of time before dangerous people are released because the court could not assign an attorney in time.
• Yes, you have the right to an attorney. But if you cannot afford an attorney…you might not get one fast enough in Washington. Dangerous criminals can walk free. That’s not justice.
• Public defender caseloads are too high. That means accused people sometimes go free when the county court can’t provide a lawyer in time. This is dangerous for victims.
• Washington ranks near the bottom nationally. The approach forces counties to carry a constitutional obligation the State refuses to adequately fund. It creates a patchwork of justice by geography.
• Equal justice demands equal funding. When the State fails to fund public defense, it’s not just a legal crisis—it puts public safety at risk.
• Local budgets are at a breaking point. Counties are faced with cutting other vital services—or not meeting legal standards.
• Our foundation of justice is crumbling. Without well-funded public defense, we will have chaos in our communities.
• This isn’t just another county’s problem. Without change, this crisis will come to your district.
• Local governments—especially rural ones—are stretched to the breaking point. They can’t keep up with public safety and other services and provide fair legal representation for those who can’t afford it.
• Counties are doing their part. It’s past time for the State to do theirs.
• Ask your legislators to fund 50% of the public defense burden by 2031, starting next session.

Equity: Because Washington ranks near the bottom in state support for public defense, which leaves counties to shoulder an unsustainable burden that delays justice, forces defendant releases, and creates unequal justice by geography—the Legislature must finally fund its fair share and commit to covering 50% by 2031. (Click to expand)

• Washington is one of just five states whose systems are locally funded and administered along with Arizona, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota.  We are not living our State’s core value for justice. We are not leaders in this space.
• We pride ourselves on equity and justice. But we rank near the bottom nationally in how much the State provides for public defense.
• The public safety crisis is here. When counties can’t assign defense attorneys, counties must release defendants or delay justice.
  • This is happening now: the Spokane County public defender’s office refused more cases 9 days into September and two weeks into October. This means accused people will wait in jail until for 72 hours, and then they will walk. The crisis is here.
  • We don’t have to agree with the public defender’s office interpretation of the new caseload standards, but until the Supreme Court intervenes, or the Legislature acts, these are the consequences of new standards on top of a shortage of public defenders, and not enough county funds to fix it.
  • The Legislature must step up and fairly fund public defense.
  • It’s only a matter of time before dangerous people are released because the court could not assign an attorney in time.
• Where you live shouldn’t decide the justice you get. Richer counties can afford better defense—poorer ones can’t. That’s not justice, and it’s not constitutional.
• Justice shouldn’t depend on your zip code or your county’s budget. Washington must honor its promise to share the cost.
• Ask your legislators to fund 50% of the public defense burden by 2031, starting next session.

Justice: With counties forced to delay justice or release defendants because Washington underfunds a constitutional right and creates unequal, unsafe, and chaotic justice by geography, the Legislature must finally honor its obligation and commit to funding 50% of public defense by 2031. (Click to expand)

• We pride ourselves on equity and justice. But we rank near the bottom nationally in how much the State provides for public defense.
• The right to a lawyer is a constitutionally protected individual right. The State must fund it fairly. And, accused people are going without timely representation.
• Equal justice demands equal funding. When the State fails to fund public defense, it’s not just a legal crisis—it puts public safety at risk.
• Our foundation of justice is crumbling. Without well-funded public defense, we will have chaos in our communities.
• The public safety crisis is here. When counties can’t assign defense attorneys, counties must release defendants or delay justice.
  • This is happening now: the Spokane County public defender’s office refused more cases 9 days into September and two weeks into October. This means accused people will wait in jail until for 72 hours, and then they will walk. The crisis is here.
  • We don’t have to agree with the public defender’s office interpretation of the new caseload standards, but until the Supreme Court intervenes, or the Legislature acts, these are the consequences of new standards on top of a shortage of public defenders, and not enough county funds to fix it.
  • The Legislature must step up and fairly fund public defense.
  • It’s only a matter of time before dangerous people are released because the court could not assign an attorney in time.
• Winston Churchill said there is no better test of a country’s virtue than the respect it shows for the criminally accused. Washington is failing that test—and failing the poor.
• Where you live shouldn’t decide the justice you get. Richer counties can afford better defense—poorer ones can’t. That’s not justice, and it’s not constitutional.
• The right to a lawyer is a constitutionally protected individual right. The State must fund it fairly. And, accused people are going without timely representation.
• Justice shouldn’t depend on your zip code or your county’s budget. Washington must honor its promise to share the cost.

Ask your legislators to fund 50% of the public defense burden by 2031, starting next session.