Public Defense

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News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
The American Civil Liberties Union today issued a report that details the problems with the manner in which counties provide criminal defense services to people in poverty. The report, “The Unfulfilled Promise of Gideon,” shows that a majority of Washington counties lack comprehensive standards and adequate oversight systems to ensure that these publicly funded legal services meet basic constitutional standards.
News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
A class-action lawsuit seeking to reform Grant County’s woefully inadequate public defense system. The lawsuit seeks a court order mandating that the County operate a constitutionally adequate system of public defense. The American Civil Liberties Union and Columbia Legal Services filed the suit in April.
News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
The American Civil Liberties Union and Columbia Legal Services today are filing a class-action lawsuit seeking to reform Grant County
News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
Kittitas County Superior Court has ruled that Grant County's public defense system has serious deficiencies and warrants a trial to create a new system with better legal representation for poor defendants.
News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
Settling a class-action lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington and Columbia Legal Services, Grant County officials have agreed to overhaul the county’s system for providing legal defense to people charged with felonies who cannot afford an attorney. Under the settlement, the county will reduce excessive caseloads, guarantee that public defense lawyers are qualified to handle serious felony cases, and provide adequate funding for investigators and expert witnesses.
News Release, Published: 
Friday, November 20, 2009
Seattle attorney Jeffery Robinson has been selected to monitor Grant County’s compliance with terms of a settlement agreement to improve the County’s public defender system.

The Washington Supreme Court ruled that the state's Equal Access to Justice Act allows the awarding of attorney fees at each level of judicial review.

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