Public Defense

Asking for a Public Defense Attorney

If you want to have an attorney assist or advise you but cannot afford to hire one, one can be appointed to represent you at public expense if your offense is punishable by a jail sentence. There are two ways to ask for an attorney:

1. On your first court date listed on your citation, which is called an arraignment, the judge will ask if you would like to have an attorney represent you at public defense. If you respond yes, you will then be screened by the public defense screener immediately after your hearing.
2. Before your court date you may call the City of Burlington Public Defense Organizational Associate at 360-755-2387 during the hours listed below to hear about ways to be screened before your court date. You can also leave a message at this number and the Public Defense Organizational Associate will call you back:
   
   Monday through Wednesday & Friday: 8:00am - 12:00pm
   Thursday: 11:00am - 3:00pm

Public Defense Attorneys

Burlington’s Public Defense firm is Mountain Law.

Phone number: 360-336-0828
Address: 306 S. 1st St, Mount Vernon, Washington 98273.

See a map of the Mountain Law office location. See the schedule and map of bus routes from Burlington to the Mountain Law Office.

Public Defense Standards

The City of Burlington has adopted public defense standards. Read them in English (PDF). View a Spanish version.

Burlington Municipal Court

The Burlington Municipal Court is located at 311 Cedar Street, Burlington WA 98233. Contact Information is as follow:

Phone number: 360-755-0492
Fax number: 360-755-2391
Email: bcourts@burlingtonwa.gov

There is free parking at the Burlington Municipal Court. The Burlington Municipal Court is served by Skagit Transit bus routes 208 and 300. View bus route maps and schedules.

For further information regarding the Burlington Municipal Court click here.