Office of Public Defense

The Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD) administers legal services for low-income people who have a right to counsel. The Youth Access to Counsel program is a new and innovative service to assist youth statewide through an on-call system. Beginning on January 1, 2022, whenever a law enforcement officer asks a youth to waive their constitutional rights (e.g. Miranda warning or request to search), the officer must first put the youth in contact with an attorney. OPD will enter into contracts with attorneys to staff a phone line on a rotational basis, providing 24/7 on-demand legal consultation. The Administrative Assistant works collaboratively with the program’s Managing Attorney to carry out all program functions. 

https://www.opd.wa.gov/documents/00897-2021_AdminAssistant.pdf