In re the Detention of M.E. and R.S.
The Washington Supreme Court held that caseload limits in a court rule setting indigent defense standards are mandatory and that courts lack authority to order attorneys to accept case assignments in violation of those limits. The trial court’s order to the public defender department to provide counsel here, however, was valid because it left up to the department the decision of how to fulfill the obligation to provide representation.
Related Commentary
State Court Oral Arguments to Watch for in November
Issues on the dockets include indigent defense crises in multiple states, what’s been called a “de facto repeal” of citizens’ initiative power, and a voter-approved ban on large-capacity magazines.