Budget Battles: Thurston County’s Public Defenders Face Million-Dollar Dilemma

Thurston County is walking a bit of a tightrope these days with new public defender caseload limits looming. Starting January 2026, public defenders will manage fewer cases—less than a third of what they’re juggling now. This might sound like a dream come true for defenders (who doesn’t want to ditch the insane work week of 50 to 70 hours?), but it comes with a heavy price tag that could total an extra million dollars annually. Yikes!

Public Defense Director Patrick O’Connor believes these changes will benefit both the attorneys and their clients. After all, having a lawyer who isn’t juggling a mountain of cases might just lead to better representation. Thurston County Commissioner Tye Menser isn’t thrilled about the potential budget impact, though. He’s calling the extra cost an “absolute minimum,” and he’s not the only one feeling the weight of it. If you thought managing a budget was tough, try doing it while ensuring that everyone gets fair representation too!

So, here’s the question that might get you thinking: can you really put a price tag on justice? I mean, if hiring more public defenders means better legal outcomes, how high is too high? It’s a slippery slope that could have far-reaching implications on how justice is administered. What do you think?

About the Author

View All Posts