Webinar
- Managing Public Defense Services - Tips and Best Practices, December 2022
Grant Funding
- U.S. Department of Justice Public Defense Resource Hub
- OPD Simple Possession Advocacy and Representation Program
- OPD RCW 10.101 Public Defense Improvement Program for Counties and Cities
Guidance for Public Defense Structures and Administration
- NEW!!! WSBA Standards for Indigent Defense Services (revised 3/2024)
- WSBA Standards for Indigent Defense Services (revised 1/2021)
- ABA Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System
- Wilbur v. Mount Vernon
- Sample Interview Questions [PDF]
Public Defense Caseloads and Workloads
- WA Supreme Court Standards for Indigent Defense
- Frequently Asked Questions
- WSBA Council on Public Defense
- ABA Eight Guidelines of Public Defense Related to Excessive Workloads
- Caseload Calculators
- Certification of Appointed Counsel of Compliance with Standards Required by CrR 3.1
/ CrRLJ 3.1 / JuCR 9.2 / MPR 2.1
Legal Resources
- Chapter 10.101 RCW – Indigency Screening, City/County Public Defense Standards, Selection of Defense Attorneys, State Funding
- Chapter 36.26 RCW – County Public Defender Districts
- Important Case Law Relating to Public Defense
- Washington State Court Rules: General Rule 42 Independence of Public Defense Services (effective 01/01/23)
Free Case Consultation for Defense Attorneys:
- Immigration Consultation
- Misdemeanor Case Consultation
- Felony Case Consultation
- Incarcerated Parents Program
- Resentencing Consultation
Other Topics:
- Indigency Screening – Forms and Resources
- LFO Calculator
- Attorney Recruitment and Retention [PDF]
- Social Workers in Public Defense [PDF]
- 2023 Plea Bargain Task Force Report and Fourteen Principles (American Bar Association)
- Texas Indigent Defense Commission Guide to Public Defender Oversight Boards
Contact Us:
For technical assistance on your city or county public defense questions, please contact OPD's Public Defense Improvement Program at opd@opd.wa.gov or 360-586-3164 ext. 212.