Since 1983, we have been committed to improving the quality of the criminal defense bar in Washington and in working for improved funding for public defense.

WDA provides over 700 members with access to the most recent developments in criminal law through training seminars, publications, and its resource assistance.

A network of organizations and communities who seek progressive change in our criminal justice system. The Criminal Justice Reform Network seeks an effective response to over-incarceration, and the disproportionate arrest and incarceration of individuals based on race and class. The CJRN seeks to create a system guided by principles based on the humane treatment of all people and a system committed to racial, social and economic justice.

The Caseload Forecast Council is charged with forecasting the entitlement caseloads for the State of Washington. The Council meets several times a year to adopt official forecasts that are the basis of the Governor's budget document and utilized by the legislature in the development of the omnibus biennial appropriations act. Caseload forecasts include:

Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration Forecast
Adult Corrections Forecast
Basic Education Forecast
Human Services Forecast

Prison Legal News is an independent 48-page monthly publication that reports, reviews and analyzes court rulings and news related to prisoner rights and prison issues. PLN has a national (U.S.) focus on both state and federal prison issues, with international coverage as well.

The Western Prison Project exists to coordinate a progressive response to the criminal justice system, and to build a grassroots, multi-racial movement that achieves prison reform and reduces the over-reliance on incarceration in the western states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming and Nevada.

The Defender Association has 92 attorneys representing more than 14,000 clients per year in felony, misdemeanor, juvenile, family advocacy, and civil commitment cases, as well as a number of appeals at all levels of the state courts.

The Defender Association received in 1999 a $146,000 grant from the Justice Department to establish a Racial Disparity Project

Justice Works! seeks to provide a safe, affirming and unique community whereby African Americans, with the support of their allies, use self-determination to solve problems encountered with or created by the criminal justice system. The mission of Justice Works is undoing racism in the criminal justice system as experienced by African Americans.