Washington's Supreme Court slashes public defender caseload limits
The state Supreme Court on Monday responded to a “crisis” in Washington’s public defense system by slashing caseloads for those providing counsel to poor defendants facing criminal prosecutions.
Justices unanimously agreed to set the new statewide standards, which call for public defenders to handle a maximum of 47 felony cases or 120 misdemeanor cases in a year, depending on one’s primary area of practice. The current thresholds are 150 felonies and 400 misdemeanors.
The group that represents Washington counties says the new standards are unattainable with the level of funding now available and due to a shortage of lawyers.
Under the court’s interim order, the new caseload limits take effect Jan. 1, 2026 and should be achieved “as soon as reasonably possible” and no later than 10 years, Chief Justice Debra Stephens wrote in the four-page order.
https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2025/06/09/washingtons-supreme-court-slashes-public-defender-caseload-limits/