WA Legislature’s budget doubles public defense funds. Counties say it’s still not enough

WA Legislature’s budget doubles public defense funds. Counties say it’s still not enough

While Washington state lawmakers’ budget more than doubles funding for public defenders, those attorneys say the sum is still woefully inadequate to meet the needs of local courts. Read more...

Washington state Legislature’s budget doubles public defense funds — but counties say it’s still not enough

Counties have struggles to recruit and retain attorneys without state’s help.

WA Legislature’s budget doubles public defense funds. Counties say it’s still not enough • Washington State Standard

Yakima County Judge Shane Silverthorn discusses a case to a defendant at a Yakima County Jail courtroom on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Yakima, Wash. There were no public defenders available to represent the defendant. (Photo by Jake Parrish/InvestigateWest)While Washington state lawmakers’ budget more than doubles funding for public defenders, those attorneys say the sum is still woefully inadequate to meet the needs of local courts.  Unlike most…

Eslick and Low secure more than $30 million in capital budget investments for 39th LD

During the legislative session, Reps. Carolyn Eslick and Sam Low successfully secured more than $30 million in state capital budget monies

More money for the district attorney—but what about the public defender?

I gave a presentation this weekend to the Society of Professional Journalists Northern California Chapter, and I talked about why local government is so broke, why schools are in disarray, why we can’t have affordable housing, why everyone is facing austerity. It’s not just the COVID hangover: It’s because the very rich have taken all the money that the economy has produced over the past 40 years. This ought to be the context for all the budget …

WA Legislature’s budget doubles public defense funds. Counties say it’s still not enough - Lynnwood Today

Yakima County Judge Shane Silverthorn discusses a case to a defendant at a Yakima County Jail courtroom on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 in Yakima, Wash. There were no public defenders available to represent the defendant. (Photo by Jake Parrish, InvestigateWest) While Washington state lawmakers’ budget more than doubles funding for public defenders, those attorneys say the sum is still woefully inadequate to meet the needs of local courts. Unlike mos…