Tipping Point — The Public Defense Crisis

Tipping Point — The Public Defense Crisis

“Tipping Point — The Public Defense Crisis” explores the ramifications of a severe shortage of available public defenders across Washington. The documentary highlights the challenges faced by defendants and prosecutors when no attorneys are available to handle a trial. 

The justice system is confronting a crisis that has led some counties to dismiss criminal cases to avoid violating the constitutional rights of the accused. 

Because of the attorney shortage and the related court backlogs, charges have been dropped and suspects released, even in cases involving crimes such as rape. 

Against this backdrop the Washington Supreme Court has ordered sweeping new caseload restrictions to better protect the rights of the accused and potentially to make recruiting public defenders less challenging. 

At the same time, organizations are suing counties — and counties are suing the state — over a situation that some describe as unsustainable.