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Public defender office asks commissioners for four attorneys; officials warn private‑market replacements would cost more
Summary
Spokane County public defense leaders requested about $480,653 to fund four attorney positions for 2026, saying losing the positions would increase reliance on expensive private contracts and lengthen case processing; presenters gave comparative cost and capacity data for public vs. private representation.
The Spokane County public defense director, accompanied by business manager Michelle Lee, told commissioners the office submitted a 2026 budget that would require four additional attorney‑level positions to meet local caseload demand and ethical standards for representation.
The office said the target budget from the administrator would leave the public defender’s office short roughly $480,653, the amount the office identified as the salary and benefit cost for four attorneys. Public defense leaders explained that eliminating those positions would force the county to send an estimated 406 misdemeanor filings and roughly 300 felony…
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