News & Stories Law & Courts Public defenders in Massachusetts and other states demand a pay raise Deborah Becker August 05, 2025 / 1:07 am Dozens of criminal cases are being dismissed in Massachusetts and other states as public defenders refuse to take on new cases until they get a pay raise. Why you can trust KUOW Recommended Stories Police pause license plate readers to comply with new Washington state restrictions April 03, 2026 Nearly 3 years after outcry, audit finds rural Washington jail in a better place April 02, 2026 Coming soon: Lawsuit challenging Washington state's 'millionaires tax' March 30, 2026