Rep. Appleton appointed to Public Defense Advisory Committee

Jan.6, 2009

Olympia – On Monday, January 12, state Rep. Sherry Appleton (D-Poulsbo, 23rd district) will become the newest member of the Washington State Public Defense Advisory Committee (PDAC). The committee was established by the Legislature to assist the state Office of Public Defense (OPD), an independent agency of the state’s judicial branch.

According to its website, the mission of the OPD is "to implement the constitutional and statutory guarantees of counsel and to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of indigent defense services funded by the state...."

“I am proud of this appointment because years before I became state representative, I worked for the passage of the legislation that helped frame this committee. The committee has been very effective in carrying out its mission to preserve and guarantee the right to counsel for all citizens.”

The PDAC appointment by House Speaker Frank Chopp broadens Appleton’s already extensive involvement in the judicial and criminal-justice arenas. She is a current member of the Washington State Sentencing Guidelines Commission (SGC) and chairs the SGC’s Juvenile Sentencing Committee. During the 2009 legislative session, which opens January 12 in Olympia, she will also be a member of the House Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Committee.

In addition, Appleton is a former longtime member of state Commission on Judicial Conduct and was appointed by two U.S. presidents to sit on the Washington Advisory Committee to the United States Civil Rights Commission.