Washington Supreme Court hears wide-ranging testimony for and against proposed indigent defense caseload standards

Chief Justice Gonzales opened the Washington Supreme Court’s Nov. 13 hearing on proposed indigent defense caseload standards, noting Justice Owens was recused and explaining the order for in-person and remote testimony. Dozens of speakers — including public defenders, county executives, mayors, prosecutors, judges and community advocates — presented sharply divided views on the Washington State Bar Association’s recommended rules.

Supporters told the court the current caseloads are causing constitutional harms and undermine fair representation. Matthew Sanders, interim director of the King County Department of Public Defense, said the system is in crisis and that delaying changes would prolong harm to people who are disproportionately poor and people of color. "We know, as a fact, that there is a crisis in public defense," Sanders said, urging the court to adopt the standards and order immediate implementation. Nikita Parekh, misdemeanor supervisor at the Snohomish County Public Defender Association, warned that a 400-case misdemeanor caseload…