How to Obtain a Public Defender

The City of Auburn provides legal assistance to indigent persons upon screening and qualifications of such services.

Determining If You Qualify

By law, the City can only provide legal services to individuals who have been determined as indigent or at poverty level. At arraignment, if you have been court ordered to apply for public defense, you will have three days to pursue this screening. 

How Indigency is Determined

The determination of indigency (rooted in Chapter 10.101 of the Revised Code of Washington) is made based upon several variables. These variables may include income, receipt of public assistance, expenses, assets, as well as other criteria. 

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What You Need to Apply

You must have the following information:

• Any paperwork received from the court, which should have a case number and the next court date
• Proof of all public assistance that you receive (current) – (E.g., Award letter, check stub, etc.)
• Support, day care, etc., handwritten support statement if living with someone and not contributing to the basic household expenses
• Verification of your income (last 30 days), unemployment compensation, or retirement / disability / SSI pay
• Proof of any other unusual expenses paid in the past 30 days (medical / dental payments, collection debts, institutional loans, etc.)
• Proof of basic living expenses (receipts or copies of)
• If self-employed – tax statements, business ledger, reported sales tax, bank statements (last 60 days), and your business license

Screening

Once all the above information is gathered, you may screen through one of the following methods:

• Online - Public Defender Screening application can be viewed and filled out online at any time. Upload your verification forms for screening determination. *Your case number will be required.
  A screener will contact you with the results.

• In-person Public Defense Screening - Held every Thursday from 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM in the lobby outside of both courtrooms located at 340 East Main Street, Suite 101, Auburn 98002.
  Bring with you your verification forms. Screening applications will be available to fill out at the court. 

• Preliminary Phone Screening applications are available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM by calling 253-931-3040 and selecting Option 6.
  *Your case number will be required, please have your case number ready. Verification forms are required to complete screening and can be sent via email to [email protected].
  Failure to send verification forms may result in a delay in determining eligibility results.

If you need further information about Public Defender Screening, please call 253-931-3040 or email [email protected]