Case, DREAM, CJA & Intern News
Case News
Our office filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus that resulted in the release from immigration custody of a person who had been arrested without cause after years of complying with supervision. Our client is now back with his spouse and children!
The Federal Defender’s office also won a petition for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of a Russian citizen who could not be deported to his country of birth. After almost a year in prison, our client is free!
Judge Estudillo sentenced our client to time served of 7 ½ months, while facing a guideline sentence of 33-41 months. Probation recommended 15 months, and the government recommended 33 months. Client had no prior criminal history, and Judge Estudillo agreed that additional time in custody would not serve the purposes of sentencing, and that client would be better served by starting his term of supervised release. Client was released the same day, and his family was able to get him transportation home. Special thanks to Tacoma paralegal Amy Strickling, who worked tirelessly to maintain contact with client’s extended family, and tracked down Client’s property, both helping facilitate client’s return home after sentencing. Wonderful news for our client and great work by his defense team!
DREAM News
CB graduated from DREAM in September, earning dismissal of his drug trafficking charges. Just 22 years old when he was charged – “young and dumb,” in his own words – and having endured numerous deeply traumatizing events in his life, CB had a lot work to do in DREAM. While he stumbled at first, and spent some time in custody as a result of violations, he ended up being a leader in the program. We were thrilled to see him graduate this month and wish him a long life of health and happiness.
CJA News
The CJA panel administration and the Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Washington would like to welcome two new CJA Standing Committee members, Carlos Santiago and Gilbert Levy. We also welcome new Panel Attorney District Representative, Emma Scanlan. We look forward to working with them on very important CJA panel-related issues.
Intern News
Please welcome our new MSW 2025-2026 Interns:
Please welcome our Fall quarter legal intern:
