Thurston County facilities are now open to the public with restrictions, including maintaining physical distancing of at least six feet at all times and, per the Washington State Secretary of Health’s face covering order wearing a cloth face covering or mask. If you come to county facilities, please be prepared for potentially long wait times or lines due to distancing guidelines. We continue to encourage residents to access county services online, by phone, by email, or through the use of drop boxes located outside of county buildings.
The availability of remote services vary by office and department.

Click here for office and department contact information
Click here for information on COVID-19

Quick Links
Department Attorneys
Frequently Asked Questions
Cases We Handle
Employment / Internships
Links to Other Resources
Email your lawyer
  • Click on Department Attorneys
  • When you find your lawyer's name, click the link to send an email
  • Never discuss confidential or sensitive information about your case by email
  • Please don't use email to schedule an appointment. Instead, call our office at (360) 754-4897 to speak to a receptionist and make an appointment
About Court Dates
  • Preliminary Hearing: If in custody, the prosecutor has 72 hours (3 business days) to file charges. The 72 hour rule does not apply when the person is released.
    • The judge determines if there is Probable Cause (PC)
    • The judge sets Conditions of Release, and the client either is released on personal recognizance (PR) or required to post bail
  • Arraignment
    • Client pleads “guilty” or “not guilty” (TCPD advises all clients to plead “not guilty” at this stage)
    • The court schedules pretrial, omnibus, and trial dates
  • Pretrial and Omnibus
    • Lets the court know what the attorney and client are planning (Change of Plea, Trial, etc)
  • Status Conference (Wednesday before the trial)
    • Lets the court know whether or not the attorney and client are ready to go to trial the following week
THURSTON COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENSE

OUR MISSION

"To Defend and Protect Our Clients' Constitutional Rights, One person at a Time."​

​OUR VISION

"Thurston County Public Defense will provide high quality representation for our clients, and pursue justice on their behalf, through ethical, professional, Client-Centered practices."

​OUR VALUES

Professionalism

Dedication

Advocacy

Compassion

Service

 

**Thurston County Public Defense is open to the public by appointment only. Drop in appointments will not be accomodated.  Please be advised that most staff are telecommuting.  Please contact your assigned attorney below to schedule an appointment, or contact our office at (360) 754-4897.**

 

 

Attorney NameAlternate Contact Number
Ahmed Jenkins(360) 968-0557
Alex Frix(360) 968-0562
Andrew Yi(360) 968-0565
Angela Colaiuta(360) 968-0563
Brian Gerhart(360) 968-0564
Christian Cabrera(360) 968-0560
Danielle Walker(360) 485-2951
Eric Pilon(360) 968-0576
Eric Schuler(360) 968-0566
Jason Schuyler(360) 968-0556
Jenna Norden(360) 490-9037
Jeri Simmons(360) 968-0558
John Hansen(360) 968-0568
Kevin Griffin(360) 401-9583
Larry Jefferson(360) 490-8716
Luke Swinney(360) 968-0561
Philip Griffith(360) 968-0554
Rick Petersen(360) 968-0559
Robyn Martin(360) 742-2492
Sarah Stabenow(360) 490-4825
William Trondsen(360) 968-0567
Zelena Jones(360) 490-6680

 

​Thurston County Public Defense carries out the United States and Washington State Constitutional guarantee that all people accused of crimes who are unable to afford a lawyer will receive effective legal representation. Thurston County Public Defense also represents low-income youth accused of a crime, parents in dependency proceedings, and adults facing civil commitment. Our office has a dedicated team of lawyers and professional staff committed to providing our community the very best public defense.

 


Contact Us
 

926 24th Way SW
Olympia, WA 98502

Open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM by appointment only, Monday through Friday. 

Reception: (360) 754-4897

Fax: (360) 754-4469

Click here for directions to our office.