Public Defense

The King County Department of Public Defense provides legal representation for people who cannot afford their own attorney in certain criminal and civil legal matters. This article explains how Public Defense works, who may qualify, the types of cases supported, how to contact the department, what information to prepare, and where to find the correct office for assistance.

Role of Public Defense

The King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) represents adults and youth charged with crimes who cannot afford private legal counsel. The department also provides representation for people facing civil commitment and parents who could lose custody of their children in a dependency action.

Public Defense works with clients involved in different parts of the legal system, including criminal cases, youth cases, family defense matters, and certain civil proceedings. The department also works on broader issues connected to the legal system, including racial disproportionality, collateral consequences of system involvement, and structural issues affecting clients.

More information about the department’s services, programs, and client resources is available through the King County Department of Public Defense.

Who May Qualify

A person may qualify for a public defender if they cannot afford to hire their own attorney and their case is one that Public Defense supports. Qualification is determined through a financial screening process.

The financial screening is an interview that reviews a person’s financial situation to determine eligibility. The screener is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice. After the screening, a person may be found eligible for public defense representation, asked to contribute toward attorney costs, or determined not eligible for a public defender.

Financial Screening Process

People who need to complete a screening can contact the DPD financial screening line. No appointment is necessary for the interview.

Phone: 206-477-9727
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

People without access to a phone may use a DPD Hotphone at designated locations in Seattle and Kent to contact the department. A person may also email dpdscreening@kingcounty.gov to request contact from a DPD screener.

During the interview, the screener asks questions about financial circumstances. If a person qualifies, they are assigned to a public defense division. If they are found able to contribute but cannot afford a private attorney, they may be assigned to a public defense division and asked to sign a promissory note for payments toward attorney costs.

Cases Public Defense Handles

The Department of Public Defense supports several types of cases in King County Superior Court, District Court, and Seattle Municipal Court. The type of representation depends on the case and the legal issue involved.

Criminal Defense Cases

DPD provides representation for adult felony cases, adult misdemeanor cases, and certain appeals. Felony cases involve adult criminal cases filed in King County Superior Court for alleged crimes occurring anywhere in King County. Misdemeanor cases generally involve adult criminal cases filed in District Court for alleged crimes occurring in unincorporated King County or certain municipal court matters.

People charged with a felony who are out of jail can contact DPD at 206-477-9727 to determine if they qualify for representation. People who are in jail can call 206-296-7662 to find out which public defense division has been assigned.

Information about supported case types is available through the Public Defense cases information page.

Dependency and Family Defense

Public Defense represents parents and legal guardians when the state Department of Social and Health Services is seeking to remove children because of allegations of neglect or harm. If the state removes a child, parents may have a right to a hearing within the required timeframe.

Parents involved in a dependency action can contact DPD at 206-477-9727 to determine whether they qualify for representation.

Civil Commitment Cases

DPD represents people who are committed to a mental health facility against their will for mental health or substance abuse disorders. Public Defense automatically provides representation for these cases.

Youth Legal Matters

Public Defense represents youth involved in criminal cases filed in King County Superior Court. Attorneys are automatically assigned for youth offender cases, and representation is provided at the first hearing.

DPD also appoints attorneys for children involved in Becca cases, including certain cases involving truancy, at-risk youth petitions, and Child in Need of Services matters.

Public Defense Practice Areas

The department organizes its work into several practice areas covering different legal needs. These areas include criminal defense, family defense, juvenile defense, involuntary commitment, sexual offender commitment, and affirmative litigation.

Each practice area focuses on representing clients in specific legal situations while providing client-centered legal representation. Details about these areas are available through the Public Defense practice areas page.

After an Arrest

An arrest does not automatically mean that criminal charges have been filed. After an arrest, police may submit information for review, and prosecutors decide whether charges will be filed.

First Appearance Hearing

After an arrest, a person generally appears before a judge at a first appearance hearing. A Department of Public Defense attorney staffs the first appearance calendar and represents the person during that hearing.

The court may consider whether there is probable cause, release conditions, and whether bail should be set. If charges are later filed, another attorney may be assigned to represent the person for future court hearings.

Felony Case Process

Felony cases may involve several stages, including arrest, booking, first appearance, second appearance, arraignment, pre-trial hearings, possible plea discussions, trial, and sentencing.

The attorney assigned for a first appearance may not be the same attorney assigned after charges are filed. People who are out of custody generally need to complete the screening process before receiving an assigned public defender.

More details about felony procedures are available through the felony arrest information from Public Defense.

Finding Your Attorney

If a person already has a public defender assigned, they can search the King County employee directory using the attorney’s first and last name to find contact information.

If a person does not remember their attorney’s name, they can contact the Department of Public Defense main line at 206-296-7662 for assistance.

People who need to meet with their attorney can visit a division office where public defenders are located. Division offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Attorney Complaints

A defendant who has a complaint about their Public Defense attorney may submit a complaint to the Department of Public Defense. Only the defendant, including a juvenile defendant, may file a complaint. Family members or other third parties cannot submit a complaint on behalf of the defendant.

A written complaint should include:

Name and address
Attorney’s name
Case number and charge
Details about the complaint

Complaints should be sent to the King County Department of Public Defense.

Past Conviction Assistance

Public Defense may assist eligible individuals seeking help with certain past convictions. The department may help people with qualifying past drug possession convictions seek relief after changes involving Washington’s felony drug possession law.

People requesting assistance can submit an attorney request form. An attorney reviews the case history and contacts eligible individuals.

DPD also provides assistance related to certain juvenile record matters, including record sealing and other juvenile record issues.

Contacting Public Defense

The Department of Public Defense has administrative offices and division offices serving clients throughout King County. The main office handles general questions, while assigned attorneys and divisions provide case-specific assistance.

The main department phone number is 206-296-7662. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For people who already have counsel assigned, contacting the assigned attorney directly is the best way to discuss a specific case. Public Defense can help identify an attorney if the attorney’s name is unknown.

Public Defense Offices

King County Department of Public Defense
710 Second Avenue, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98104
206-296-7662

Associated Counsel for the Accused (ACA) Division
710 Second Ave., Suite 1000
Seattle, WA 98104
206-624-8105

Associated Counsel for the Accused (ACA) Division
420 West Harrison, Suite 201
Kent, WA 98032
253-520-6509

Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons (SCRAP) Division
710 Second Ave., Suite 1050
Seattle, WA 98104
206-477-9300

Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons (SCRAP) Division
420 West Harrison, Suite 101
Kent, WA 98032
206-477-9200

The Defender Association (TDA) Division
710 Second Ave., Suite 700
Seattle, WA 98104
206-477-8700

The Defender Association (TDA) Division
420 West Harrison, Suite 202
Kent, WA 98032
253-852-1599

Northwest Defenders (ND) Division
710 Second Ave., Suite 250
Seattle, WA 98104
206-674-4700

Northwest Defenders (ND) Division
124 4th Ave. S., Suite 100
Kent, WA 98032
206-674-4700

Jefferson Professional Center
1401 E. Jefferson Street
Seattle, WA 98122

Public Defense FAQs

How can I find out if I qualify for a Public Defense attorney?

Eligibility is based on your financial situation and the type of case you have. If you cannot afford to hire an attorney, you must complete a financial screening interview to determine whether you qualify. During the screening, a Department of Public Defense screener reviews your financial information. The screener is not an attorney and cannot provide legal advice. You can learn more about the process through the eligibility information from King County.

What types of cases can receive legal representation?

King County Public Defense supports several types of cases, including adult felony cases, adult misdemeanor cases, dependency matters, involuntary commitment cases, youth offender cases, Becca cases, and certain contempt of court matters. The available representation depends on the court case and legal circumstances. A complete list of supported matters is available on the cases supported by Public Defense page.

What happens after a felony arrest before charges are filed?

An arrest does not always mean that criminal charges have been filed. After an arrest, prosecutors review information from law enforcement and decide whether charges will be filed. A first appearance hearing may address issues such as probable cause, release conditions, and bail. More details about the steps in a felony case are available through King County’s felony arrest information.

What can I do if I have a complaint about my assigned attorney?

Only the person who is the defendant in the case may submit a complaint about a Public Defense attorney. Complaints should include relevant case details and information about the issue. King County also explains that some concerns may be resolved by discussing the matter directly with the assigned attorney. The official complaint process is described on the attorney complaint information page.

Can Public Defense help with certain past convictions?

Some individuals may receive assistance with specific record-related matters, including certain past drug possession convictions and juvenile record issues. Eligibility depends on the circumstances of the case. King County provides additional details about available assistance through its resources for vacating and sealing records.