Welcome
The Grays Harbor County Department of Public Defense provides publicly funded defense services to indigent persons when required by law or the Constitution. The primary objective is to serve those protected by public defense counsel with quality trained, hard-working, compassionate and justice-minded attorneys. The attorneys, both employees and contracted, are each competent, qualified, and meet the standards established by Washington State.

The Grays Harbor County Department of Public Defense maintains hours Monday & Friday by appointment only and Tuesday - Thursday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Check in at the county administration building at first floor Commissioners' office. Appointments for alternate times may be made by calling: 360-964-1591. Staff is available to respond to questions and concerns. Contact: PublicDefense@graysharbor.us 

COVID-19 Updates -
Visit the Superior Court Web Page for Current Emergency Orders.

Representation
Attorneys who provide indigent defense services are typically attorneys in private practice contracted with the county.  These attorneys may only provide representation when authorized by law and assigned by the Department of Public Defense.

Kind Regards,
~Mac~
F. McNamara Jardine
Grays Harbor County, Coordinator
Department of Public Defense
 Entering
Purpose
The Grays Harbor County Department of Public Defense is responsible for promoting the professional independence and integrity of the public defense system, and for fulfilling the county’s obligation to provide quality, independent counsel to those who qualify for public defense counsel at county expense. We hold ourselves to the highest professional and ethical standards. 

The department is dedicated to the full and fair representation of all persons in our community who cannot afford legal counsel and are in danger of being deprived of a liberty interest due to a criminal accusation or other statutorily defined state action. It is the goal of the public defenders to protect each client’s constitutional rights, to defend against discriminatory treatment, disproportionate punishment, and to ensure that no innocent accused is wrongfully convicted. Based on State financial determination, when persons cannot afford an attorney, an attorney is assigned to represent the individual’s interests and rights in their criminal case.

The department also coordinates juvenile representation in offender matters, At-Risk-Youth (ARY) cases, Child in Need of Services petitions (CHINS) and truancies.  This department does not handle parent representation in dependencies, which is instead handled by the Washington State Office of Public Defense.

Mission
The Department of Public Defense commits to protect and defend the rights of eligible people and provide professional and effective representation for those who are entitled to and cannot afford legal representation.

Method
We will accomplish our mission through support, collaboration, transparency and accessibility to all partners in the criminal justice community.

Contact Information
If you have questions about public defense services supported by this office, either as a concerned community member, client, family member of a client or criminal justice professional, please do not hesitate to contact the Department of Public Defense. 

F. McNamara Jardine, Public Defense Coordinator
Phone: (360) 964-1591
E-mail: publicdefense@graysharbor.us

Address: 100 W. Broadway Avenue, Suite # 1, Montesano, Washington 98563.

Website Disclaimer

Grays Harbor County makes every effort to ensure that this web site is a true and accurate representation of the work of county government and that use of the site is easy and risk-free. However, the county and all related personnel make no warranty, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness or convenience of any information disclosed on the site. Nor does the county accept liability for any damage or injury caused by the use of this site, including but not limited to failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, effect, delay and operation of transmission, computer virus, or on-line failure.

Users of the site must take responsibility for any effect downloading of materials, especially from linked sites, may have on their computers or data contained within their computers.

Grays Harbor County occasionally links to non-county web sites. Such sites shall provide information and/or services in support of the mission of Grays Harbor County government. Final decisions regarding external links shall be made by the Grays Harbor County Central Services Director. Provision of an external link does not constitute an endorsement of that site. The information presented here should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.

Information on this web site is NOT legal advice
The information presented here should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. Using this web site does not create any attorney-client relationship. If you are having legal problems, please talk with the attorney assigned to your case or a private attorney that you have hired.