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Thurston County public defenders outline costly plan to meet new state caseload standards
Summary
County public defense staff told commissioners the Washington Supreme Court's new caseload order, effective Jan. 2026, will require either big staff increases or reduced caseloads; county staff recommended a five-year implementation and presented cost and staffing projections.
Thurston County public defense officials told the Board of County Commissioners on Aug. 13 that a Washington Supreme Court order implementing revised public defense caseload standards takes effect Jan. 2026 and will require counties to reduce caseloads or add staff to comply.
The court's order implements recommendations from the Washington State Bar Association and requires counties to begin a drawdown in caseloads starting in January 2026, with full compliance to follow within a maximum 10-year period. "This is a binding court order from our Supreme Court to indigent defenders," Patrick O'Connor, director of Thurston County Public Defense, said during the work session.
The court set maximum annual caseloads under the revised guidance that counties must reach within the drawdown period: for example, maximums of 47 felonies and 120 misdemeanors per attorney (counts vary by case type and youth/ITA categories). O'Connor said the order also…
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