Washington Defender Association

Big news for WA Public Defense: The WA Supreme Court issued an Order on Jun 9, 20205, directing WA counties and cities to reduce public defender caseloads, beginning Jan. 2026.

WA Supreme Court orders much lower caseloads for public defenders Some public defenders have pushed for lower caseloads to improve legal representation, while some county leaders have raised concerns about staffing and costs.

"Washington will more than double the money it sends to counties for public defenders in an attempt to reduce strain on the legal system, state lawmakers decided in the two-year budget they passed Sunday.

Yet the state will still cover less than 10% of what counties are spending on public defense, and those costs are increasing, so advocates say serious problems with the system may continue."

WA adds public defender dollars but ‘nowhere near’ enough, counties say Washington will more than double the money it sends to counties for public defenders in an attempt to reduce strain on the legal system. But some say it's not enough.