PRESS RELEASE: Trial Court Denies WAP’s Request for Emergency Funding, Potential Paths Forward Still Remain
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact:
Gabe Villarreal, Staff Attorney
August 17, 2026 – Last Friday, a request by the Washington Appellate Project (WAP) that the Office of Public Defense (OPD) maintain WAP’s funding during the lawsuit was denied by the Trial Court.
Without that funding, WAP faces potential closure in the next few months, leaving over 500 indigent parents and incarcerated people potentially without the effective assistance of appellate counsel guaranteed them by the State Constitution.
“We are disappointed by the ruling,” says Greg Link, WAP’s Executive Director. “But our fight to protect the constitutional rights of our clients is far from over.”
“WAP plans to appeal the denial, and today wasn’t a total loss. We appreciate the Court asking OPD to consider mediation. We’ve asked OPD to agree to mediation on several occasions. They’ve refused in the past, but we hope they agree now, especially given the Court’s statements.”
“In any case, our goal remains the same,” says Link, “a contract that allows us to ethically serve our clients as the Constitution requires.”
WAP’s lawsuit against OPD remains ongoing.
For over 30 years, WAP has upheld the highest standards of appellate defense, winning landmark victories like State v. Gregory and State v. Blake on behalf of indigent clients.
Please direct all press inquiries to gabe@washapp.org.