Pierce County’s indigent services get overdue funding

OLYMPIA – Washington’s trial courts hear more than 2 million cases a year. This puts an enormous strain on the judicial system burdened with heavy caseloads, funding shortfalls and retaining quality staff. For the first time, the Legislature in 2006 gave the Office of Public Defense (OPD), an independent state agency of the judicial branch, $3 million to distribute to counties for public defense services for indigent defendants in criminal cases. Pierce County is slated to receive a portion of this money. In addition, $535,000 in state funding is now being provided annually to the county’s public defense attorneys who represent indigent parents in dependency and termination proceedings.

Sen. Debbie Regala, D-Tacoma, said that OPD funding was long overdue since paying legal fees is out of reach for many people.

“With this money, OPD can finally help counties meet the legal advocacy standards set forth by the state bar association,” said Regala, referring to a 2003 study conducted by a Blue Ribbon Panel that found Washington’s public defense system operating at sub-par levels. “The cost of legal defense isn’t cheap. Without public defense attorneys, it’s dire straits for low-income persons in these proceedings.”

Based on the county’s population and number of criminal cases in Superior Court, Pierce County will receive $307,000. This new funding will allow Pierce County to hire additional attorneys to represent indigent clients in criminal proceedings.

"These additional funds will a long way toward ensuring greater access to justice for people throughout Pierce County," said Rep. Jeannie Darnielle, D-Tacoma.

With the $535,000 for parents’ representation, the county is able to staff the cases within state approved caseloads and provide improved services.

“Better representation in these cases means that all the parties and the court have the information needed to make just and proper decisions for the children and families in these difficult cases,” said OPD Director Joanne Moore.

This new state program, improving parental representation in dependency and termination cases, has now been expanded to 18 counties, including Skagit, Clark, Snohomish, Pacific and Grays Harbor counties. In the upcoming legislative session, OPD will ask lawmakers to expand the program to include all counties and increase overall funding for public defense services, which is part of the courts’ “Justice in Jeopardy” initiative.

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