RSS Member Pruitt Comments on the Rural Lawyer Shortage in Eastern and Central Washington
In a compelling exploration of Washington’s rural justice landscape, Yakima County emerges as a critical case study of the state’s public defender crisis. Chronic underfunding, overwhelming caseloads, and a shortage of qualified attorneys have pushed the system to its limits—leaving vulnerable populations without adequate legal representation.
In rural counties, contracting models become the only way these services are possible but, “relying on contract attorneys is a little scary because you just really have to rely on the attorneys’ integrity and intelligence and experience. … There’s a lot at stake for people if something goes wrong.” — Lisa R. Pruitt, University of California, Davis, School of Law