Coffee Chat – Director of Public Defense

Why do communities need public defenders? Well, 50 years ago, a man named Clarence Earl Gideon was charged with a crime. Gideon could not afford a lawyer, and was subsequently convicted and sentenced to five years in state prison. While in prison, Gideon submitted a petition to the US Supreme Court, arguing that the Constitution bars states from sending low-income people to prison without legal representation. In 1963, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned Gideon’s conviction, and, when re-tried with a lawyer, he was acquitted. As a direct result of the Gideon decision, all states now provide court-appointed counsel to people facing criminal convictions and imprisonment who cannot afford a lawyer. On Monday, September 26, learn about your local office of public defense by joining Commissioner Romero and her guest, Thurston County Public Defense Director Daryl Rodrigues, for coffee.

Commissioner Romero meets once a month with community members for informal coffee chats on a wide variety of local issues. At the end of the guest presentation you will have an opportunity to talk about issues of concern, ask her questions about the county, and share ideas. Romero is the representative of District 2, which includes Yelm, Lacey, and Rainier.

Rainier: 9:30am – 10:30am, Rainier City Hall, 102 Rochester Street West

Yelm:   11:00am – 12:00pm, Pizzeria La Gitana, 309 Yelm Ave E

Lacey:   2:00pm – 3:00pm, Forza Coffee, 130 Marvin Rd. SE