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Washington Supreme Court caseload limits prompt Anacortes review of indigent defense code and contracts
Summary
Council received an update on the Washington Supreme Court order (filed June 8, 2025) reducing misdemeanor public defender caseload standards from 400 to 120 per attorney (phased to 2036); staff said the change creates capacity and funding questions and that the city is already operating under a contract with Periscope Legal.
City staff briefed the Anacortes City Council on June 16, 2025, about a Washington State Supreme Court order filed June 8 that revises indigent defense caseload standards and the city’s related municipal code.
City staff member Miss Shue summarized the order and its local implications: effective Jan. 1, 2026, the caseload standard for misdemeanors is reduced from 400 to 120 cases per attorney, but the court phased the limit in over a 10‑year period; the annual reduction requirement was described as roughly 28 cases per year (10% of the remaining difference each year) to reach…
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