Public Defense FAQ

FAQ

How do I vacate my possession of Controlled Substance conviction or (Blake Issue)

The Washington State Supreme Court ruling in State v. Blake,197 Wn.2d 170, 481 P.3d 521 (2021) issued February 25, 2021, declared the current Possession of a Controlled Substance law unconstitutional. The decision has great impact on many citizens. However, the resolution will take time to implement.

Grays Harbor County has set a prioritization process to resolve those incarcerated facing release. If one has a conviction for Possession of a Controlled Substance, it may be removed from the criminal history record. The removal may result in an adjustment to a sentence for a crime based on a revised offender score; removal of a felony from criminal history and /or a challenge to any criminal charge predicated upon the initial conviction.

If you believe you are entitled to relief under the Blake decision, you must remain reachable during the process; provide the following information by:

Mail: Department of Public Defense

100 W. Broadway # 1, Montesano, WA 98563

OR email: publicdefense@graysharbor.us

*Blake Request*
NAME:
PHONE:
ADDRESS:
E-MAIL:
CASE NUMBER(s):

How do I make public records request

All requests for records maintained on behalf of Grays Harbor County may be requested by contacting GHC Public Records
Public Records Home (grays-harbor.wa.us)https://www.graysharbor.us/departments/public_records/index.php

SB 6164 Update Resentencing

Washington State Second Chance Law - RCW 36.27.130.

The Washington legislature passed a law recognizing that our system sometimes gets things wrong. It is often referred to as SB 6164, The stature provides a second look - a way for courts to reconsider a defendant’s sentence.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW
The request is entirely at the prosecuting attorney's discretion; and may companies have emerged to take advantage of families of incarcerated persons.

CAUTION TO families of incarcerated individuals to recent solicitations for unnecessary, high-cost services. Families are receiving cold calls and being told that, if they want to request a resentencing hearing from a prosecutor’s office under a recently-passed law, they need certified court documents. The cost quoted: $1,500.

There is no need to spend money to get the matter before the court for re-sentencing. An incarcerated individual or their family member can simply send an email or letter to the prosecuting attorney in the county where the individual was sentenced. There is no need for ‘certified’ court documents, and certainly no need to spend $1,500.

The 2020 law, gives county prosecuting attorneys “the discretion to petition the court to resentence an individual if the person's sentence no longer advances the interests of justice.” If a prosecuting attorney agrees to set a resentencing hearing, the new law stipulates:

The court may consider postconviction factors including, but not limited to, the inmate's disciplinary record
and record of rehabilitation while incarcerated; evidence that reflects whether age, time served, and
diminished physical condition, if any, have reduced the inmate's risk for future violence; and evidence
that reflects changed circumstances since the inmate's original sentencing such that the inmate's
continued incarceration no longer serves the interests of justice.

A recent alert was broadcast regarding scam calls and email messages to incarcerated inmates’ families. There have been reports concerning solicitations when a family member of an incarcerated individual received a call from a Yakima-based company. The caller offered an “investigation” and certified court documents for $1,500. The solicitation implied that certified court documents were required if their loved one was to be considered, and that if the company was hired, they could get the prosecutor’s office to review the matter within two weeks. This information is false and there is no company working with prosecutors to handle these matters.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in closed courts, facility lockdowns, visitor restrictions and we are in the midst of the holiday season. Stress is affecting everyone, families are vulnerable and they want to help and scam companies play on the emotional upheaval.

A call or email comes out-of-the-blue and the caller tells the family member they need to spend a substantial amount of money to request consideration under 6164. This is confusing and disturbing because most Washington families are financially strapped. Be patient, it will take time for the process to be put in place and there are no guarantees.

What is my public defender's phone number, email address or physical address?

The Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) licenses all attorneys in Washington State. All public defense attorneys are contractors. WSBA maintains all contact information for all attorneys.

wsba.org

If you do not know your attorney's name, you may contact the Department of Public Defense. Other identifying questions will be asked to ensure information is appropriately provided.

How do I pay my fines or what should I do if I cannot pay them?

Pay fines directly to the court that ordered them. Contact District Court Administration, or the Superior Court Clerk’s Office directly to make payment arrangements or to discuss inability to pay.

Grays Harbor County District Court (360) 249-3441.

Grays Harbor County Superior Court Clerk's Office (360) 249-3842.

To make a payment by phone, please call: 877-793-8935.

**Paga con tarjeta de credito o debito. Linea gratuita: 877-793-8935**

How can I get my court costs lowered?

The court determines the amount to be paid as a fine or court cost- Legal Financial Obligations should be individually considered based on the financial situation of each individual. State v. Blazina (2015), the Washington Supreme Court unanimously ruled that courts must take into consideration a defendant’s ability to pay before imposing LFOs. The Court ruled that trial courts must make “an individualized inquiry” into the defendant’s current and future ability to pay before imposing court costs, and must consider important factors, such as incarceration and the defendant’s other debts.

Moreover, the Court stated that if a person receives public assistance or has an income at or below the poverty level, then courts should seriously question that person’s ability to pay LFOs.

An individual may file a motion with the court requesting a reduction in legal financial obligations. The court will require a current LFO calculation form, bank statements, and employment or government subsidy records.
More Information at:
https://cms5.revize.com/revize/graysharborcounty/departments/public_defense/legal_financial_obligations_lfos.php

I have a warrant for my arrest; What should I do?

It depends.

Grays Harbor County District Court
If your warrant is for missing a court date in District Court, contact the Department of Public Defense at publicdefense@graysharbor.us or at 360-964-1591.

Grays Harbor County Superior Court
If your warrant is for missing a court date in Superior Court, contact your public defense attorney immediately. If you missed court because of a legitimate emergency, provide that documentation to your public defense attorney so he/she may request the warrant be quashed. If your public defense attorney is unable to have your warrant quashed, or if several months has passed since the warrant issued, contact the Department of Public Defense at publicdefense@graysharbor.us or at 360-964-1591.

How do I turn myself in?

The Grays Harbor County Jail accepts people turning themselves in for. Warrant Quash hearings are heard by motion and only after you have been screened for financial eligibility by the Department of Public Defense.

How do I find out my court date?

If you need to verify your court date, first contact your attorney; you may contact the court or go to the Washington Courts Website.

Grays Harbor County District Court (360) 249-3441
Grays Harbor County Superior Court Clerk's Office (360) 249-3842

For info, go to:
http://www.courts.wa.gov/index.cfm?fa=home.contentDisplay&location=findmycourtdate
select: FIND MY COURT DATE.

How can I get a public defender?

Public defense attorneys are assigned, for those who qualify for indigent defense. If you have not been to court yet, you will have the opportunity to request a public defense attorney by contacting the Department of Public Defense 360-964-1591.

If you have already been to court, declined a public defender and want to change your mind, you can do so. Complete a financial declaration form. Submit the form to publicdefense@graysharbor.us or drop off the form at the office.

Defense attorneys may meet with you to discuss the matters once they have been appointed to your case.

Can I get a new judge?

Yes, RCW 4.12.050 authorizes disqualification of a judge. In most cases, any party to any action or proceeding in a superior court may disqualify a judge from hearing the matter. Talk with your attorney, as there are some limitations.

The notice of disqualification must be filed and called to the attention of the judge before the judge has made any discretionary ruling in the case.

A judge who has been disqualified under this section may decide such issues as the parties agree in writing or on the record in open court.

No party is permitted to disqualify more than one judge in any matter under this section of the law.

Even though they may involve discretion, the following actions by a judge do not cause the loss of the right to file a notice of disqualification against that judge: Arranging the calendar, setting a date for a hearing or trial, ruling on an agreed continuance, issuing an arrest warrant, presiding over criminal preliminary proceedings under CrR 3.2.1, arraigning the accused, fixing bail, and presiding over juvenile detention and release hearings.

What can I do to help out my case?

Keep your attorney/counsel/lawyer informed of your current address, phone number and email. If you were in custody, contact your attorney/counsel/lawyer as soon as you are released.
Write notes about the facts of your case, questions, and the things to discuss before you meet with your attorney/counsel/lawyer. (Some carry a spiral notebook and/or calendar to track important dates and information).
Avoid discussing the facts of your case with anyone but your attorney/counsel/lawyer or investigator.
Never discuss the facts of your case with others, visitors, and people you call on the phone (all communications and contacts are recorded). ALL NON-ATTORNEY CALLS FROM THE COUNTY JAIL ARE RECORDED, & MAY BE USED AGAINST YOU IN TRIAL, OR MAY BE USED AS THE BASIS FOR ADDITIONAL CRIMINAL CHARGES AGAINST YOU.
Avoid filing your own motions with the court. Only in extraordinary circumstances, such as a request for a new attorney/counsel/lawyer, will you be given a court hearing to argue your motion before a judge. You may research the law that applies to your case if you wish, but your attorney/counsel/lawyer is not obligated to accept your legal research or your legal conclusions.
Do not send letters to anyone discussing your case, as letters may be intercepted by law enforcement and used against you at trial. The person you trust could be called as a witness against you. Avoid discussing the facts of your case in postal mail and email, (all communications and contacts can be traced).
Do not send letters to the prosecuting attorney or to the court. If you have concerns, contact your attorney/counsel/lawyer or the Department of Public Defense.
Provide your attorney/counsel/lawyer with a list of potential witnesses as soon as possible, with accurate telephone numbers where they may be reached, and addresses where they can receive mail if possible.
Attend all your court dates. Unless your attorney/counsel/lawyer has told you personally that you are excused, you must attend all court hearings. If you miss court, even if you might have a good excuse, there can be serious consequences, including being arrested and charged with a new crime. You may be inconvenienced by missing work or changing a medical appointment, but your boss or your doctor will not have you arrested. A judge can, and will, put you in jail and possibly keep you in custody if you fail to appear in court.
Be on time for court.
Dress for court as professionally as you would for a job interview or for any other appointment that could affect your future.

Family Members who want to support, or seek the release of, someone charged with a crime may put together a community support team to request release.

The team should include 2-5 family members to meet with the attorney/counsel/lawyer to discuss how to provide supervision if ordered by the court, transportation, and compliance with any conditions. The court is concerned about two things: community or alleged victim safety and timely appearances for court.

Family members may have specific information they are encouraged to make a witness list of names, street or mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses of anyone who was with the accused at the time of the allegation or arrest. Provide this to the attorney/counsel/lawyer.

What do I do if I cannot reach my public defense attorney?

Please be patient as you wait for your public defense attorney to get back to you. Attorneys have busy caseloads and spend time in court many days of the week. If, after multiple messages and/or over a week's time they have not gotten back to you, you may send an email to publicdefense@graysharbor.us, we will support efforts to establish contact.

I want to fire my public defender; How do I do that?

You are free to terminate your relationship with your appointed attorney. It is difficult to "fire" your public defender, as you did not retain or hire the attorney, the county assigned the attorney. To refuse to work with your public defense attorney leaves only two options: (1) Hire private counsel to handle your case at your own expense, or (2) Represent yourself and defend your case on your own, "pro se," if the court approves self-representation. Once the trial date is set, only the court is able to enter an order to substitute a different public defense attorney to represent you. To make this happen you will have to explain at your next court appearance why you think it is necessary for the court to substitute a different attorney. Please note that courts rarely do this and if they do, it may cause significant delays in your case. Contact the Department of Public Defense with any questions.

I want to file a complaint against my public defender.

Please see the Complaint page for details on how to file a complaint.

How do I get a sentence review hearing?

Sentence review hearings, or hearing to modify judgment and sentence, may only be granted by the court that sentenced you. Generally, the court will not grant a motion to review a sentence except with good cause. Your best chance is to contact the attorney who handled the case or write to the Department of Public Defense stating specifically the reason for wanting a sentence review hearing (including any support documents if applicable). Always include the court case number, your full legal name, address and telephone number.

I pled guilty but want to change my mind. What should I do?

Most of the time after you have pled guilty you will not be able to withdraw your plea. However, under certain, very limited circumstances, you may have a legal argument for doing so. Please note that even when you have a legal argument for doing so, the judge may not grant your request, and if your plea is withdrawn, most likely any deals you have made with the prosecutor are going to be withdrawn and you stand the risk of being worse off. You will need to discuss this with your public defense attorney to see if this is a possibility and if so, whether it is the best course of action for your case.

How do I find out if my friend/family member is in jail?

Grays Harbor County posts the jail roster on their website and you may be able to check the register 24 hours a day.

CHECK GHC JAIL ROSTER -

http://ghlea.com/JailRosters/GHCJRoster.html

I have a civil case (small claim, landlord-tenant, divorce etc) and need an attorney

Public defense attorneys are appointed, in criminal cases, when one is charged with a crime. An attorney is appointed after a financial qualification determination is made. There are only a few types of civil cases whereby counsel may be appointed; these are civil contempt, cases protected under the US Service Members Act and some tenant evictions cases. The Grays Harbor County Department of Public Defense is not authorized to assist with other civil cases.

If you have a civil case and you not able to pay for an attorney, contact Legal Aid or NorthWest Justice Project for help. For low cost help with your divorce paperwork, you may wish to use the services of the Grays Harbor County Self-Help Office for Family Law - (360) 249-8174. In order to do so, you will need to make an appointment and pay a fee. Court Facilitators are available in Grays Harbor County.

How do I vacate or seal my criminal history?

Grays Harbor County Department of Public Defense does not assist people in vacating or sealing their criminal histories. You may hire a private lawyer to help you do this or do it yourself. The Washington State Courts system

publishes a guide and provides a listing of court forms to assist you to navigate the laws about vacating/sealing criminal history if you decide to try to do this yourself.

What if I get charged with a DUI?

First Court Appearances

The first court hearing in Grays Harbor County District Court is a mandatory preliminary appearance. Once the court enters a finding of probable cause, the court will determine whether it will impose restrictions on an individual’s freedom as a condition of release.

Public defense attorneys are assigned, for those who qualify for indigent defense. If you have not been to court yet, Contact the Department of Public Defense to screen for financial eligibility: publicdefense@graysharbor.us

If you have already been to court, declined a public defender and want to change your mind, you can do so. Contact the Department of Public Defense by telephone or email. publicdefense@graysharbor.us or drop off the form at the office.

Mandatory Court Appearances

All court appearances are mandatory. Any failure to appear may result in a warrant for arrest.

County Paid Public Defense Attorney

You will be provided attorney contact information. It is essential to keep in contact with the attorney. After requesting an attorney, discuss the case only with the attorney. Determine the attorney’s preferred method of communication and check in regularly. Immediately, notify the attorney, the Department of Public Defense, and the court of any change in address or phone number.

Mandatory Minimum Penalties for First Offense DUI in Washington

Washington imposes mandatory minimum penalties based upon the level of the breath/blood test or a refusal to submit to testing. For a breath/blood test under 0.15, a person faces the following penalties:

24 consecutive hours in jail (or 15 days of home detention);
License suspension for 90 days (plus separate administrative DOL sanctions);
Fines, costs and assessments up to $5,000, subject to the court (typically approximately $1,000);
Ignition interlock requirement for one year;
Probation for five years; and
Alcohol evaluation and/or recommended follow-up treatment, at a minimum this will include attending a Victim Impact Panel and or Alcohol Drug Information School.

For a second offense, a breath/blood test over 0.15, a refusal to submit to a breath test, or if minor children are in the vehicle, an individual faces increased penalties.

DUI Court and the DUI Arraignment

Standard DUI release conditions generally include the following: no consumption of alcohol, no driving without a valid license and insurance, no criminal conduct, and a promise to appear at all court dates. Aggravating allegations that lead the court to determine the individual could be a danger to the community may result in additional requirements such as bail. An extremely high breath or blood alcohol content, an accident, child passengers, or other non-DUI related criminal history are all examples of aggravating factors.

Alcohol and Drug Treatment Agencies

A person charged with DUI and/or physical control will be required to undergo an alcohol and drug abuse evaluation. The assessment includes information from a client interview, the results of the breath test, and the individual’s criminal history and driver’s abstract.

How do I support an incarcerated loved one?

People who want to help a loved one who is in jail often don’t know how. This is especially true during the first few days of incarceration, when people have yet to learn the ins and outs of the system. The video, “How to Support an Incarcerated Loved One,” produced by Block by Block Creative, walks the viewer through those first few days, helping them understand how they can support someone who is in jail.

Family Members who want to support, or seek the release of, someone charged with a crime may put together a community support team to request release.

Do not send letters to the prosecuting attorney or to the court. If you have concerns, contact your attorney/counsel/lawyer or the Department of Public Defense.