DPD's 2025 Rule 9 interns grouped together on a stairwell

From First Appearance to ‘Not Guilty:’ DPD’s interns conclude a summer of impactful representation for their clients

Last week, DPD’s summer interns concluded their 10-week program representing clients through Washington’s unique Rule 9 license, which allows closely supervised law students to speak on the record in court. With the support of experienced supervisors and in partnership with attorneys in DPD’s misdemeanor units, interns gained invaluable experience defending clients from their first appearance…

Sustainability and Support Mark a Summer of Meaningful Advocacy for DPD’s Interns

Cecilia Atkins, a rising 3L student at Michigan Law, chose to spend her summer internship at DPD largely because of Washington’s unique Rule 9 licensure that allows supervised students to speak on the record. At the start of the 10-week program, she took over a handful of cases from a public defender who rotated into…

DPD and partners achieved historic victories in 2023 legislative session, though more work remains

Key bills passed by lawmakers advance systemic change in both criminal and dependency law, helping to build a more compassionate response to trauma, poverty, and racial inequity.

A man reclaims his life after five years in jail and a 14-week trial

Dre Glaspy sat in jail for more than five years for the death of a child he loved. A defense team, with the help of top medical experts, showed what really happened. Now Dre can begin the hard but meaningful work of rebuilding his life, while grieving for the boy he lost.

Family defense attorneys say Indian Child Welfare Act helps maintain family ties and tribal sovereignty

DPD filed an amicus brief in Brackeen, pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, to provide a realistic view of ICWA’s careful ‘case-by-case decision-making.’ The law, our brief says, ‘results in better judicial decisions.’

A summer of substantive work: DPD’s interns learn what it means to stand with clients

DPD’s 19 interns just wrapped up a 10-week program. Four of them talked to us about what made it meaningful — from arguing motions, to challenging search warrants, to going to trial. Most meaningful, they said, was working with clients, fighting on behalf of people ensnared in a harmful system.

Colleagues recall Don Madsen, a beloved leader in public defense

Many at DPD are mourning Don Madsen, a public defense leader who loved the work and the people who were drawn to it.

‘I’m home.’ Client is freed thanks to Blake decision and public defense

Nate Sanders had lost hope of an early release. Then the State Supreme Court invalidated the state’s felony drug law, and a DPD attorney sent him a letter. He’s now a free man.

The role of ‘unregulated evidence’ should concern us all, leading law professor says

Unregulated evidence, from the way a person dresses to the color of their skin, profoundly influences jurors. And yet it often goes unchallenged and unchecked, says Bennett Capers.

Public defenders help people convicted under unconstitutional drug possession law

Thousands of people are in prison due to a law the State Supreme Court found unconstitutional. Now, attorneys are trying to address the harms of these wrongful convictions.

For The Defense

News from the King County Department of Public Defense

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