As Changes Loom for the Public Defender's Office, Can Clallam County Blaze Its Own Trail?

As changes loom for the Public Defender's Office, can Clallam County blaze its own trail?

BY PEPPER FISHER Olympia – The state Supreme Court finally announced a decision in June on the issue of lowering the caseloads for public defenders. That’s after the State Bar Association complained of massive loss of public defenders in our state due to burnout from excessive caseloads. The court on June 9 ruled on a new substantial reduction in caseload limits for public defenders that can be phased in over 10 years, to take effect on January …

Lincoln County Commission weighs creation of public defender’s office

Photo by Wesley Tingey on UnsplashThe Lincoln County Commission is considering a major shift in how it provides legal counsel for residents who cannot afford an attorney.Commissioners reviewed a proposal Tuesday to establish the county’s first public defender’s office.The move comes as the county faces rising costs and caseloads under its current system, which contracts with private attorneys to represent indigent defendants. South Dakota remain…