Currently, Clark County is the largest county in Washington that utilizes a contractor model without attorney oversight to provide indigent defense services
VANCOUVER – The Clark County Council this week approved using American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funding to establish a Public Defense office. The office will be staffed by 10 full-time employees: one senior public defender, six public defenders and three legal assistants.
The two-year ARPA funding will be the foundation to begin the Public Defense office as the county transitions away from its current practice of contracting with local defense attorneys. After the two years, funding for the office will come from indigent defense contract savings in the general fund.
Currently, Clark County is the largest county in Washington that utilizes a contractor model without attorney oversight to provide indigent defense services. A public defense office will help centralize and maximize administration and be able to address sustainability in indigent defense services as Clark County grows. A public/indigent defense attorney often is assigned to some of the most vulnerable population in a community.
“As we transition our office from a contract model to a county public defense office, it is important to give a huge thank you to our dedicated indigent defense attorneys in our county,” said Deputy County Manager Amber Emery. “We have a lot of work to do with the transition and I am excited to be leading this effort for the county. Our first step is to hire a Director of Public Defense, the recruitment will take place in December and January.”
The Public Defense Director will report to the Deputy County Manager’s office.
The approved staff report is available on the county’s website.
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
Also read:
- Full closure: I-5 southbound off-ramp to Exit 11 in north Clark County for maintenance March 3
The southbound I-5 off-ramp to Exit 11 for SR 502/Battle Ground will close March 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for maintenance work. - Vancouver Clinic welcomes Katherine Henry as CEO, marking next chapter of physician-led, patient-first care
Katherine “Katie” Henry has been named CEO of Vancouver Clinic, succeeding Mark Mantei after his retirement at the end of 2025. - NWCAVE to honor Sergeant Tanya Wollstein this Sunday with the 2026 Spotlight For Justice Award
Sergeant Tanya Wollstein of the Vancouver Police Department will receive NWCAVE’s 2026 Spotlight For Justice Award at Java for Justice on March 8. - Rep. David Stuebe sponsors high school student from Camas as House page
Discovery High School student Zoe Southard served as a page in the Washington State House after being sponsored by Rep. David Stuebe. - Opinion: Democrats side with Tehran while Trump defends America
Lars Larson argues Democrats are aligning with Iran while President Trump acts against what he calls a national security threat. - State high school basketball: Seven Clark County teams still playing in final week of tourneys
Union girls and Columbia River boys advanced Saturday, joining five other Clark County teams in the final week of state basketball tournaments. - Unnecessary, unaffordable add-ons likely to spell doom for the I-5 Bridge replacement project
Three Southwest Washington legislators argue the Interstate Bridge Replacement’s rising costs and added features threaten its viability.
