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Practice Advisories

WDA staff and the resource attorneys have created practice advisories on issues relevant to indigent defense. These documents are in Word format and you are encouraged to cut and paste them into your motions and other documents.

If you have an issue that you feel we should prepare an advisory on, let us know. If you have prepared practice advisories and would like to submit one for publication to the indigent defense community, please contact staff for publication to our data base.

As with all resources, WDA attempts to keep these documents current, but it is your responsibility to check the law for changes.

Here are the main subcategories for our Practice Advisories.

Below are the most recently updated documents and links in all practice advisories categories

Juvenile or Young Adult Specific Jury Instruction (08.2019)

This Practice Advisory discussed the law and strategy for seeking juvenile or young adult specific jury instructions. Thanks to Ryan McGowan, WDA Legal Extern.

Child Hearsay with 2019 Legislative Update (8.2019)

This advisory discusses the admission of out of court statements by children pursuant to the Child Hearsay statute, RCW 9A.44.120.

Preparing Yout Client with Accommodations Needs for DOC

This advisory discusses basic information about the transition to DOC to serve a prison sentence and offers tips for attorneys representing clients with medical, mental health or intellectual disability in need of accommodation.

2019 Legislation Impacting Felony Practice (8.2019)

This 2019 WDA Practice Advisory includes the 2019 legislation that impacts felony practice.

Severance of Defendants (6.2009)

This 2009 WDA Practice Advisory discusses the law relating to severing co-defendants for separate trials.

Changes to Competency and Forensic Mental Health – 2019 Legislation (6.2019)

This WDA Practice Advisory provides and overview of the 2019 legislation implementing the Trueblood Settlement, ESSB 5444.

Diminished Capacity Defense (8.2013)

This Practice Advisory discussed the law surrounding the defense of diminished capacity.

CrR 8.3b Motions to Dismiss (2009)

This WDA Practice Advisory provides an overview of the caselaw interpreting motions to dismiss pursuant to CrR 8.3(b).

Insanity Defense (2013)

This WDA Practice Advisory discusses the defense of NGRI - Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity.