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Practice Tools for Defenders

Judge Kessler (Ret.) Caselaw Notebook 2022 Update (2.2022)

Ret Judge Ron Kessler compiles and shares this Caselaw Notebook with defenders annually.

Advocating for Clients in Jail

Click here to view Advocating for Clients in Jail by Ethan Frenchman, Disability Rights Washington.

Attorney Client Communication – Client in DOC (7.29.2021)

This Info Sheet prepared by Washington State DOC explains how attorneys can arrange for communication with clients who are incarcerated in DOC facilities.

Trial Defense Guidelines for Representing a Child Facing a Possible Life Sentence (2015)

This resource comes from the Center for Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY) and sets out the requirements for defense teams representing children facing a long or life sentence.

Criminal Caselaw Notebook – Judge Ron Kessler (Ret.) (1.2021)

This manual is a summary of cases related to criminal law, prepared for and shared by Retired King Co. Superior Court Judge Ron Kessler.

Trial Advocacy Manual by Travis Stearns for Washington State Office of Public Defense

This trial advocacy manual was created by Travis Stearns for Washington State OPD and is designed to help public defenders develop an emotionally compelling story that judges and juries believe, enabling them to see the injustice ...

Defender Resource Packet on fighting bail and arguing for pretrial release by WSBA Council on Public Defense

The Pretrial Reform Committee of the WSBA Council on Public Defense (“committee”) is working to support bail reform in Washington. The committee has drafted the attached client interview form and compiled packet as a resource ...

Litigating Race: WA State OPD’s Resources on Litigating Race

Using Data to Strengthen Disproportionality Advocacy (external link) Washington State OPD’s Disproportionality Legal Training Coordinator, Barbara Harris, has created this resources page. The resources and tools compiled here ...

Principles and Leading Cases on Procedures in Personal Restraint Petitions (PRPs) (11.2018)

This resource manual is prepared by staff at the Washington Supreme Court. It discusses the Personal Restraint Petition (PRP) process, appointed counsel, grounds for relief, standard for review, statute of limitations, petitions f...

Judge (Ret.) Ron Kessler’s Caselaw Journal 2020 (1.2020)

Retired King County Superior Court Judge Ron Kessler compiles and shares this comprehensive case law summary annually. This resource is a great tool for quickly finding cases on a specific topic related to criminal law or indigent...