UW Tacoma’s PPPA Division is hosting a panel discussion this month on Washington State’s funding of public defenders in the criminal justice system. The 6th Amendment to the United States Constitution, as well as the Supreme Court’s Gideon v. Wainwright decision, establish a right to legal representation for criminal defendants; however, according to a recent op-ed by Pierce County Councilman Derek Young, the Washington State Legislature funds just 4% of this public defense. Knowledgeable representatives from both local government and the criminal justice system will convene at UWT on April 26th to discuss. 

Panel participants include Washington State Senator Steve O’Ban, Pierce County Councilman Derek Young, Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office Chief of Staff Dawn Farina, UWT graduate and Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office Legal Assistant Kanani Palafox, Pierce County Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Martin, and Department of Assigned Counsel Chief Deputy Mary Kay High. The panel will be introduced by Salvador A. Mungia, partner at Gordon Thomas Honeywell, and moderated by PPPA Assistant Professor Dr. Sarah Hampson.

The panel will be held on April 26th, 2018, from 5:30pm-7:00pm in the University Y, Room 303.