TVW’s Documentary, Tipping Point, Spotlights a Crisis Counties Have Warned About for Years

Washington’s public defense system is nearing collapse. TVW explores the severe shortage of public defenders and the funding crunch in Tipping Point.

Stakeholders from around the state speak to what counties already know: without enough public defenders, justice grinds to a halt. Defendants wait. Victims wait. County systems absorb the cost and the consequences.

WSAC Executive Director Derek Young is featured in the documentary. He calls attention to the crisis for counties: Washington’s counties bear most of this cost, and their budgets can’t keep up. They must also fund priorities such as law enforcement, emergency response, public works, elections, and other essential services. The math no longer works.

Together, we're working to raise awareness about the looming public defense crisis and urge the Legislature to act!

Learn more and join the effort at: wsac.org/publicdefense/

Media Contact
Mitch Netzer
Senior Manager, Business Development & Communications
mnetzer@wsac.org | 360.485.8549