Public Defense Crisis Deepens as Caseloads Overwhelm System, Supreme Court Weighs Reform

Hacks & Wonks

Jason Schwarz, Director of the Snohomish County Office of Public Defense and the Chair of Washington's Council on Public Defense, talks about new public defender caseload standards under consideration by the Washington Supreme Court to address the state's public defense crisis. The combination of public defenders working under decades-old caseload standards and lack of state funding have led to massive delays and staff exodus, creating an urgent need for reform to ensure justice for defendants, victims, and the community at large.

As always, a full text transcript of the show is available at officialhacksandwonks.com.

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