King County, WA

The Department of Public Defense (DPD) represents indigent adults and children facing a loss of liberty. Our department is an independent voice that advocates for our clients' dignity and objectives.

We provide high-quality representation to clients in several case areas, including felonies, misdemeanors, dependencies, and civil commitments.

We also work with partners to address racial disproportionality in the criminal legal system, the collateral consequences of system involvement, and other structural issues that harm our clients.

DPD employs attorneys, investigators, mitigation specialists, paralegals, and other support staff. In 2022, DPD represented more than 14,000 individuals in King County courts and Seattle Municipal Court and handled more than 18,000 assignments.