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Council committee confirms Matthew Sanders as King County public defender; board and executive cite recruitment, staffing and caseload planning
Summary
After a staff briefing and endorsements from the Public Defense Advisory Board and executive staff, the Committee of the Whole voted to confirm Matthew Sanders as King County public defender. Council discussion highlighted his interim leadership, hiring and training plans, and work to implement caseload standards ahead of a July 2 phase‑in.
The Metropolitan King County Council Committee of the Whole voted May 27 to confirm Matthew Sanders as King County public defender and director of the Department of Public Defense following a staff report, an endorsement from the Public Defense Advisory Board and remarks from the chief operating officer.
Background and vetting process
Melissa Bailey of Council Central staff summarized the chartered appointment process: the executive conducts a national recruitment, the Public Defense Advisory Board evaluates qualified candidates and forwards up to three recommendations to the executive, who then appoints from that list subject to…
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