May 21, 2026

WHEREAS, this Council has previously recognized that the promise of equal protection under the law requires that all criminal defendants have access to competent representation; and

WHEREAS, this Council has previously recognized that most people, especially working people and those who are low-income, folks of color, or otherwise marginalized, cannot afford to hire an attorney privately, and thus rely on public defenders; and

WHEREAS, competent legal representation requires access to attorneys and also to legal administrators, paralegals, investigators, and social workers; and

WHEREAS, King County public defenders, represented by SEIU 925, have been working under an expired contract since December 31, 2025; and

WHEREAS, the expiration of this contract has caused King County public defenders to not receive cost-of-living increases, despite continuing to work under unsustainable caseloads; and

WHEREAS, the leadership of the King County Department of Public Defense has prioritized hiring attorneys while drastically reducing non-attorney staff, resulting in less effective legal defense for public defense clients; and

WHEREAS, King County’s negotiators have proposed eliminating longstanding contract provisions requiring adequate ratios of attorney and non-attorney staff; and

WHEREAS, the Washington State Bar Association, in 2024, adopted new public defense standards mandating adequate ratios of attorney and non-attorney staff; and

WHEREAS, the King County Council is currently considering an amendment to the County Code–supported by SEIU 925–that states that the State Bar Association’s staffing ratios “should serve as guidance in delivering public defense services and making appropriations”; and

WHEREAS, this amendment will be considered by the County Council on May 26, 2026;

BE IT RESOLVED that the Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council urges King County Councilmembers to approve the proposed amendment referenced above:

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council strongly urges the King County Executive to quickly conclude negotiations with King County’s public defenders by agreeing to a fair contract that ensures constitutionally adequate ratios of attorney and non-attorney staff.