Fulmer is concerned about indigent defense costs

By on Friday, January 17th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

WALLA WALLA – Walla Walla County Board of Commissioners Chairman Gunner Fulmer explains one of the biggest unfunded mandates counties statewide are dealing with right now is indigent defense, which is legal representation for someone who is unable to afford a lawyer. The county then pays for that.

In 2018, Walla Walla County was paying about $600,000 to $700,000 to provide indigent defense. Now, using 2024 numbers, Walla Walla County is spending about $1.2 to $1.3 million to cover those costs.

Fulmer said this trend cannot continue and that it will be a big topic during the 2025 legislative session.

“If the trend continues, counties are going to fold up,” he explains. “They’re not going to be able to pay this.”

Fulmer said the state needs to step in.

“Washington is one of few states that we get very little coverage from the state to cover these costs,” he adds. “Some states are 100 percent.”

According to Fulmer, the fight and the reasoning behind asking the state to cover much more of the indigent defense expenses is because Walla Walla County is upholding state law in court.

“So, it really should go back to the state on covering these costs,” Fulmer said.