The Whatcom County Public Defender's Office is located in Bellingham, WA. With one Chief Deputy, one Director, 20 Public Defenders and other support staff, this office handles felony and misdemeanor cases that carry a possible jail or prison sentence, probation violations, juvenile offender cases in Whatcom County Superior and District courts and civil commitment/involuntary treatment cases. However, this office does not handle Municipal Court cases. Federal cases, Tribal Court cases, traffic tickets and infractions that do not carry the risk of jail, Appeals to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court Department of Licensing (DOL) hearings, cases outside of Whatcom County Divorce proceedings or child custody matters, Landlord-tenant disputes and Dependency cases/At-Risk Youth (ARY)/Child in Need of Services (CHINS). Eligibility is determined solely on their evaluation of your ability to pay your defense costs. An application must be filled out that includes the financial declaration of the income, expenses and assets available to household members. For further assistance, please contact the Whatcom County Public Defender's Office.ependency cases/At-Risk Youth (ARY)/Child in Need of Services (CHINS). Eligibility is determined solely on their evaluation of your ability to pay your own costs of defense. An application must be filled out that includes the financial declaration of the income, expenses and assets available to household members. For further assistance, please contact the Whatcom County Public Defender's Office.