News

- In the wake of Blake, 1500 drug convictions scrubbed in Snohomish County
After Washington’s Supreme Court shot down felony drug possession, it created a domino effect in 200,000 cases statewide. Click here to read the full article. 
- Director Larry Jefferson featured on Public Defenseless Podcast
Imagining Something Better than Washington's Patchwork Public Defender System. "As one of the many states without a unified system of Public Defense, the consistency of Public Defense and access to…
- Gang Violence Intervention Roundtable Hosted in Kennewick
The Walk About Yakima Program (WAY), made its way to the Tri-Cities with a roundtable discussion about combating violence. Read the article or view the story here. 
- Good news for Youth Access to Counsel
A new legal hotline has helped minors in Washington state consult with lawyers more than 3,000 times before being questioned or searched by police. Read the complete Axios Seattle article here. 
- The Impact- Could a Public Defender Shortage Lead to Cases Being Dismissed?
As trial delays stack up in some jurisdictions, will a shortage of public defenders lead to cases being dismissed? Q & A with Larry Jefferson, Director of the Washington State Office of Public…
- Thurston County jail diversion program makes 'world of difference' for those in need.
The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program is making a difference for the community.  Follow the complete story as reported by Martin Bilbao, reporter for The Olympian.