Public defender updates

Mason County Chief Public Defender Peter Jones briefed commissioners June 17 on how preparations are going for presumed changes to his office.

The Washington Supreme Court is accepting comments on updated standards through October, Jones said.

It’s the first step in passing the standards and making them mandatory, according to Jones.

The new proposed rules have been alarming for Mason and other smaller counties that will have to dramatically increase their budgets for indigent defense.

Potentially updated Washington State Bar standards will drastically change attorney caseloads, which will aff...