Public Defender Salary in Washington

How much does a Public Defender make in WA?

As of March 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Public Defender in Washington is $114,114. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $98,311 to $132,253, with most professionals earning between $83,922 and $148,767.

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Salary range for an Public Defender

$98,311 to $132,253

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What is a Public Defender?

A Public Defender is an attorney appointed to represent people who otherwise cannot reasonably afford to hire a lawyer. Brazil is the only country where an office of government-paid lawyers, with the specific purpose of providing legal assistance and representation to the destitute, free of charge, is established in the Constitution. In the United States, a 1963 US Supreme Court case Gideon v. Wainwright ruled that the Sixth Amendment of the Bill of Rights requires the government to provide free legal counsel to indigent defendants in criminal cases. Many other countries provide people with p...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 09/06/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Location	Avg. Salary	Date Updated
Location Aberdeen, WA	Avg. Salary $110,304	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Acme, WA	Avg. Salary $108,610	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Addy, WA	Avg. Salary $107,128	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Adna, WA	Avg. Salary $110,304	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Airway Heights, WA	Avg. Salary $107,975	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Albion, WA	Avg. Salary $107,128	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Allyn, WA	Avg. Salary $114,220	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Almira, WA	Avg. Salary $107,128	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Amanda Park, WA	Avg. Salary $110,304	Date Updated March 01, 2025
Location Amboy, WA	Avg. Salary $109,245	Date Updated March 01, 2025

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Job Openings for Public Defender in Washington

What does a Public Defender do?

Common responsibilities of a Public Defender

Provides representation at all stages of the court process, including before the filing of formal charges, at the trial court level, and any related appeals.

September 28, 2022

Required to work in jail environment (will be required to comply with all conditions imposed to enter a facility of this type).

December 01, 2022

Assist the board in the adoption of rule accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, establishing standards and guideline, policies and procedures for the statewide delivery of public defense services in accordance with rules adopted by the Board or requires by law.

February 01, 2023

Reviews case, results of investigation, applicable laws and codes, and professional obligations to identify, prepare, direct filing, and litigate appropriate pretrial motions.

February 23, 2023

Meets with the client to discuss the appropriate action to be taken and whether pre-trial motions should be filed, discuss any plea offers from the State, and the consequences, including collateral legal consequences thereto, and, ultimately prepare client and case for trial.

February 27, 2023

Performs limited post-conviction work, including motions to modify probation, and represents clients at revocation hearings.

March 31, 2023

Represents all indigent persons charged with serious crimes in the County, including capital murder, murder, and manslaughter.

April 21, 2023

Acts as negotiator between the defendant clients and the State's Attorney's Office prosecutors to secure acquittals or reach agreement concerning sentence time plea agreements which would be the most beneficial for the defendant client, and the State's Attorney's Office.

May 08, 2023

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About Washington

Washington (/ˈwɒʃɪŋtən/), officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Washington is the northwestern-most state of the contiguous United States. It borders Idaho to the east, bounded mostly by the meridian running north from the confluence of the Snake River and Clearwater River (about 116°57' west), except for the southernmost section where the border follows the Snake River. Oregon is to the south, with the Columbia River forming the western part and the 46th parallel forming the eastern part of the Oregon-Washington border. To the wes...

Source: Wikipedia (as of 04/17/2019). Read more from Wikipedia

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Oregon

Public Defender Salaries in Portland, Oregon

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About Washington Washington (/ˈwɒʃɪŋtən/), officially the State of Washington, is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Washington is the north....More

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