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 at 206-733-9753,
or visit the Court, 600 5th Ave, 2^nd floor, between 9:00 AM and 12:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, or Friday from 9:30 AM through 4:00 PM, except holidays. Click here for directions and a map.

Upon a finding of indigency, your case will be assigned to a public defense agency and an attorney from that agency will contact you.

The city contracts with two public defense agencies: ACA and NDA. A third agency, TDA, also has clients in Municipal Court.

Contact information for all three agencies:

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. 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/
3. 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/

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 at (206) 733-9753.