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Washington Supreme Court hears wide-ranging testimony on proposed indigent-defense caseload standards
Summary
At a Nov. 13 public hearing, defenders, prosecutors, elected officials and advocates offered sharply divided testimony on Washington State Bar Association-recommended caseload limits: defenders and civil-rights groups urged adoption to prevent long delays and protect constitutional rights, while counties and cities warned of severe fiscal and operational consequences without state funding or a Washington-specific study.
The Washington State Supreme Court convened a second public hearing on Nov. 13, 2024, to gather input on proposed statewide indigent-defense caseload and support standards recommended by the Washington State Bar Association.
Dozens of witnesses spoke for and against the rules, which would lower maximum caseloads for public defenders and require minimum non-attorney support. Supporters said the current, higher limits leave clients waiting months or years for adequate representation and that modern criminal cases demand more time because of digital evidence and complex forensic work. "Standards are not standards if they don't apply equally across the board," Jason Schwartz, a past chair of the Council on Public Defense, said, arguing the CPD's Washington-localized study—adapted from national research—provides a sufficient basis for statewide rules.
Several public defenders and civil-rights advocates framed the issue…
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