Obtaining a Public Defense Attorney

Public Defense Services (Chapter 10.101 RCW)

Persons charged with a criminal, jailable offense may be eligible for a public defender, if they qualify financially.

For more information on having a public defender appointed, or if you do not know how to contact the public defender that was assigned, call the Seattle Municipal Court Indigent Screening Program at 206-733-9753,
or visit the Court, 600 5th Ave 1st floor, window 10, between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday except holidays. Click here for directions and a map.

Upon a finding of indigency, the court will assign the case to one of three public defense agencies who contract with the City of Seattle to provide public defense services in Municipal Court. The three agencies are:

1. ASSOCIATED COUNSEL FOR THE ACCUSED (ACA)
   • DIAL 0-624-8105 FROM JAIL
   • 110 Prefontaine Place South, Suite 200
   • Seattle, WA 98104
   • 206) 624-8105 Extension 402 (Please Listen To The Recorded Message)
   • Web Site: http://www.acawashington.org/
2. THE DEFENDER ASSOCIATION (TDA)
   • DIAL 0-447-3900 FROM JAIL
   • 810 3rd AVE SUITE 800
   • Seattle, WA 98104
   • (206) 447-3900 (Please Listen To The Recorded Message)
   • Web Site: http://www.defender.org/
3. NORTHWEST DEFENDERS ASSOCIATION (NDA)
   • DIAL 0-674-4700 FROM JAIL
   • 1111 Third Avenue, Suite 200
   • Seattle, WA 98101
   • (206) 674-4700 (Please Listen to the Recorded Message)
   • Web Site: http://www.nwdefenders.org/

How to Make a Complaint

If you have concerns, contact the agency and ask for the misdemeanor supervisor. If your concern has not been addressed, call the Seattle Municipal Court, Indigent Defense Line at (206) 733-9753.