Application for Court-Appointed Attorney

If you have requested a court-appointed attorney at your hearing,  you will need to complete an indigency screening form and provide written documentation of your income and expenses.  Court staff will review your application and determine, according to the appropriate financial guidelines, your eligibility for court-appointed counsel. If you receive state public assistance,  you automatically qualify but you must provide a copy of your current award letter.  If you would like court staff to verify your benefits through the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Benefit Verification System (BVS), please provide either your client ID or Social Security number and mark your initials on the indigency screening form.  The court does not keep this information on file and will only use these identifiers to access the BVS.  If you qualify, the court will send you the name, address and telephone number of the court-appointed attorney.  It is your responsibility to contact the attorney immediately for an appointment and be available for all meetings as requested by the lawyer.