Council adopts updated indigent defense standards tied to court guidance

The Stanwood City Council on March 26 adopted Resolution 2026-05 to establish updated indigent defense standards consistent with recent court direction.

Lisa Sokolick introduced the measure and told the council the principal change requires a steady reduction in per-attorney caseloads, with a target that phases down roughly from current levels toward 120 misdemeanor cases per attorney per year over the next ten years. "The main change in the case is the caseload limits," Sokolick said, noting that the city's finance director will monitor monthly reporting from the Public Defense Association.

Council members questioned how the new standards will be funded and whether the state will provide additional money. Sokolick said she did not believe the state is providing additional funding and that precise increases for the next two years will be included in the contract presented to council before signing. "The contract will come," she said, adding the city attorney drafted the resolution and the contract and the Public Defender Association is reviewing it.

By voice vote the council adopted the resolution. Mayor (speaker 1) and council members present signified approval; there were no recorded dissenting votes during the roll-call voice vote. The council and staff characterized the vote as the policy step required now that the Supreme Court and related guidance have established the new standards; staff will return with the implementing contract and any budget implications for council approval.

What's next: staff will present the draft contract and detailed cost estimates to the council for review before the city signs any agreement, and the finance director will continue to provide monthly compliance reporting.