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:
- CCSO provides additional information on Sunday’s murder-suicide
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit continues its investigation of Sunday’s murder-suicide in Orchards that led to the deaths of five family members. - Washington public college enrollment lowest since 2014
Washington state’s public universities are at their lowest combined levels of enrollment since 2014, according to state data. - Journey Theater presents The Wizard of OzThe story of Dorothy traveling to the Land of Oz will be told by Journey Theater’s performance of the Wizard of Oz, with six shows, starting with opening night on Friday, Dec. 8.
- Re-Imagined Radio celebrates the holidays with live and broadcast episodesIt’s Vancouver’s own Christmas classic: “A Radio Christmas Carol,” offered by Re-Imagined Radio every year since 2013.
- Opinion: A taxpayer receipt would help provide a snapshot of government spendingJason Mercier of the Mountain States Policy Center discusses the concept of providing an itemized receipt for taxpayers about their tax dollars and it relates to government.
- iQ Credit Union celebrates the opening of its newly relocated Salmon Creek branchiQ Credit Union, a member-owned, modern-day financial institution based in the Pacific Northwest, announced the opening of its relocated Salmon Creek branch.
- Welfare check leads to discovery of apparent murder-suicide in OrchardsTragic murder-suicide in Orchards: Five family members found dead, including the suspect, in a residence on NE 93rd Street; Clark County Sheriff’s Office investigating.
