Clark County Indigent Defense Office, WA

The Office of Clark County Indigent Defense is located in Vancouver, WA and provides the courts with attorneys to represent persons charged with certain state and county criminal, probation violation, juvenile offender, mental commitment, and child dependency (abuse & neglect) cases when the person is unable to afford an attorney (indigent). Attorneys appointed to represent parents in dependency proceedings are provided to the court by the State Office of Public Defense. Individuals who want an attorney appointed must financially qualify according to state statute. A financial statement is completed when the person first appears in court. The judge then decides whether or not to appoint an attorney. If an attorney is appointed, a judge may order repayment of the public defense cost after the case. The mission of Clark County Indigent Defense is to ensure effective and cost-efficient legal representation is available to persons who are eligible for court-appointed counsel, consistent with the Washington and United States Constitutions, laws, and national standards of justice. For further assistance, please contact the Office of Clark County Indigent Defense.