You Have A right To An Attorney But What’s Wrong in Yakima?

If you get in trouble and need a public defender in Yakima you'll be waiting longer than expected. That's because the Director of the Department of Assigned Counsel says in-house and contract felony case capacity has reached it's limit in April and the department is short on attorneys.

LAWYERS ARE LEAVING THE OFFICE AND THAT'S CAUSING MAJOR DELAYS

Paul Kelley has written Yakima County Prosecutor Joe Brusic about the problem. Brusic says "we are at that critical point due to the further loss of staff at the Department of Assigned Counsel here in Yakima County. The public defenders are leaving that office." Kelley says over the past few months the DAC's felony capacity has experienced major setbacks with the loss of three felony qualified attorneys. One has already left two others are set to leave in June.

THE PROBLEM IS GOING TO GET WORSE NOT BETTER IN THE SHORT TERM

The bottom line? Kelley says wait times for those who need an attorney will increase this spring and summer. Kelley says Department of Assigned Counsel will be requesting a "significant" increase to its budget to hire more attorney's and offer an increase in compensation in what he calls a very competitive market.

THE COUNTY PROSECUTOR SAYS HE'S HOPING TO FIND A SOLUTION

Yakima County Prosecutor Joe Brusic says his Office will continue to partner "with all involved in the criminal justice system here in Yakima County to find a solution to this serious problem."
He says he's determined to fix the problem in the short and long term. Additionally he says "we will do our continued level best to provide for public safety for all residents in Yakima County."