ACLU sues Washington, claims state failing children defendants

aclu-washington

The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington is suing the state’s Office of Public Defense in an effort to get the state to do more to make sure children charged with crimes have good legal help.

The lawsuit specifically challenges what the ACLU describes as the agency’s failure to protect juvenile defendants in Grays Harbor County, but the organization says the issues aren’t limited to that area.  The lawsuit seeks to have the court declare that Grays Harbor County is violating the constitutional rights of children charged with crimes, and that the Office of Public Defense has the authority to require remedial measures.

The ACLU says the state’s powers could also include requiring public defenders in certain cities or counties to attend extra training sessions; reviewing how contracts for public defenders are written and executed; or even taking over the administration of public defense in jurisdictions that don’t improve.

Counties around the state have struggled to pay for public defenders.  In Olympia this year, the Washington State Association of Counties sought to get the Legislature to pony up more money for indigent defense, saying Washington covers just 4 percent of public defense trial court costs – the association says 31 states cover at least half.

A bill supported by the association that would have required the state to “fully fund” public defense costs never got a hearing at the statehouse.  (AP)