Judge tosses counties' lawsuit pressing for more state funding for public defenders

A Thurston County judge has dismissed a legal challenge to Washington’s system of covering the cost of counsel for criminal defendants who can’t afford an attorney.

The Washington State Association of Counties and three counties – Lincoln, Pacific and Yakima – sued the state last fall, alleging inadequate state funding leaves counties unable to provide constitutionally adequate defense services for indigent individuals.

But Thurston County Superior Court Judge Allyson Zipp dismissed the lawsuit March 22, agreeing with state attorneys that the counties lacked standing to sue. She ruled from the bench and is expected to issue a written order in the coming days.

While acknowledging serious challenges facing the public defense system, she said only individual indigent criminal defendants, not counties can assert claims.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/04/05/judge-tosses-counties-lawsuit-pressing-for-more-state-funding-for-public-defenders/