Events

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) is in the process of formulating budget priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session. OPD seeks input from county and city representatives regarding public defense systems, and we invite you to contribute to the development of these priorities by attending one of two listening sessions with OPD.

If your county or city would like to participate, please register here.

This registration link is for the May 10, 2024 listening session at 12:00pm. 

Any questions can be directed to opd@opd.wa.gov.

Presented by Jason Schwarz, Snohomish County Office of Public Defense
The WSBA recently adopted updated standards of Indigent Defense. These standards will impact caseloads, the necessary experience needed to handle cases, and the support attorneys must receive from social workers, investigators, and others. After this webinar, you will understand the new standards and be able to employ them to represent persons accused of crimes in our state effectively. You can register for this program here.

This webinar is free. It is open to anyone interested in the new standards, especially those working in indigent defense.

This program will provide fundamental skills and techniques for designing and presenting training
programs for public defense teams. All defenders engaged in training or coaching other defenders are
welcome to attend.

For more information on the program and registration, check out the flyer. 

Join National Criminal Defense College faculty members Robert Pepin and Hon. Susan Fisch (Ret.) in a day focused on skill building, focusing on building a theory of defense, opening statements, and how to impeach witnesses. We will have a series of lectures and workshops so you can learn new skills and how to put them into action. This exciting opportunity to develop your skills will leave you challenged and ready to try new things in your next trial. See more information about this event on the flyer. 

9-10:15 Improved Client Communication (Cassie Trueblood) (Ethics)

Cassie Trueblood will focus on ways to improve communication with your client and how establishing better communication can improve outcomes for your clients.

10:15-10:30 Break

10:30-11:45 Preserving Error for Appeal (Travis Stearns)

Travis Stearns will show attorneys how to better preserve their records and the steps required for appellate review.

11:45-1:00 Lunch

1:00-2:15 Better Trials through Motion Practice (Ramona Brandes)

Ramona Brandes will demonstrate how motion practice can shape your case, addressing motions to suppress and in-limine motions.

2:15-2:30 Break

2:30-3:30 Calling Out Prosecutorial Misconduct (Lei Young) (Ethics)

Lei Young will look at emerging misconduct issues, focusing on closing arguments and cases that have addressed racial discrimination.

This program is open to all attorneys with appointed cases.

For more information, check out the flyer.