Spokane eyes $940K public defender grant as county faces lawsuit over caseloads

(The Center Square) – Spokane County leaders considered accepting nearly $1 million in grant funding for public defense services on Tuesday as they face a lawsuit over the state’s new caseload standards.

The Washington Supreme Court slashed public defender caseload standards last year and required the state to fully comply by 2036. The Washington State Bar Association had requested a shorter deadline and specific weighting criteria, but the justices left that decision up to counties statewide.

Officials at the city and county levels have argued that the new caseload limits amount to an unfunded mandate, as local governments...