Welcome to Thurston County Public Defense (the Office of Assigned Counsel)
Public Defenders for Washington's Capital County
 
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Department Attorneys
Frequently Asked Questions
Cases We Handle
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   Our Mission

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



 

You can look up your case
Click on Odyssey - Washington Courts Online Case Search
You can contact your lawyer by email
  • 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
What is that court date for?
  • 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
What is Thurston County Public Defense?

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, Monday through Friday

Reception: (360) 754-4897

Fax: (360) 754-4469

Click here for directions to our office.