Applications are now being accepted for the Criminal Defense Training Academy – a multi-day program with fundamental skills development for attorneys who represent indigent defendants in criminal cases. This program is hosted by the Washington State Office of Public Defense with collaboration from Washington Defender Association, Washington Appellate Project, and Gonzaga University School of Law. Topics will include: client communication, investigation, race, storytelling, cross-examination, openings & closing, and more.

To graduate, selected participants must attend two two-day training sessions at Gonzaga University School of Law (June 21-22, and September 20-21), and participate in various webinar courses. The total cost is $100. Space is limited to only 30 participants. All indigent defense counsel are welcome to apply – public defense agency employees, private attorneys with public defense contracts, and assigned counsel. Selection priority will be given to applicants that are new to public defense, and are from rural jurisdictions that typically lack CLE opportunities.

The APPLICATION deadline is May 3, 2019. Please direct any questions to Katrin.Johnson@opd.wa.gov or Nicole.Dodge@opd.wa.gov.