The Washington Supreme Court has announced a final public hearing scheduled for November 13 to discuss proposed changes to standards for indigent defense. This session will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Temple of Justice on the Capital Campus in Olympia, with options for in-person or Zoom attendance.
To participate, individuals must register in advance. The event will be live-streamed and recorded by TVW. Written comments on the proposed standards are due by October 31, 2024. These can be emailed to supreme@courts.wa.gov or mailed to P.O. Box 40929, Olympia, Washington 98504-0929.
This hearing follows an earlier session held on September 25 in Thurston County and is intended for rebuttal arguments against previously submitted written comments and testimonies.
Proposed amendments include reducing maximum caseloads for public defenders, revising qualification requirements, and setting minimum support staffing levels. These changes were suggested by the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) and its Council on Public Defense due to concerns over high workloads and inadequate compensation affecting staff retention. "Public defense in Washington is facing a crisis of attrition," noted the WSBA and CPD.
Individuals interested in testifying should focus their remarks on new points rather than reiterating past statements from the prior hearing or written submissions. Registration details are available online, with registration closing one hour before the hearing begins.
After this final hearing, the Court will consider all feedback as it deliberates on whether to adopt these amendments fully or partially or reject them altogether. There is no set deadline for a decision; however, Justice Mary Yu emphasized awareness of "the importance of the issue" among concerned parties.