HomeMy WebLinkAbout14-056 Indigent Defense Standards Resolution 14-056
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Resolution No. 14-056
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, ADOPTING STANDARDS FOR INDIGENT DEFENSE
WHEREAS,RCW 10.101.030 requires each city to adopt standards for delivery of
public defense services, whether provided by contract, assigned counsel, or a public defender
office; and
WHEREAS,the Washington State Bar Association has adopted a standard for indigent
defense services approved by the Board of Governors on June 3, 2011; and
WHEREAS,the Washington State Supreme Court, pursuant to Order No. 25700-A-
1004, has adopted a new standard for indigent defense services requiring a certificate of
compliance for defense counsel; and
WHEREAS, such Supreme Court standards, with the exception of Standard 3.4, become
effective on October 1, 2012; and
WHEREAS, new Standard 3.4 relating to caseload limits and weighting methodology
has been delayed until January 1, 2015; and
WHEREAS,the County has adopted standards for indigent defense in Ordinance 04-
0323-09, codified as Chapter 2.20 of the Jefferson County Code; and
WHEREAS,the City of Port Townsend ("City") currently contracts with Jefferson
County ("County") for District Court services, including the provision of indigent defense and
has, through that contract, implicitly adopted the County's standards; and
WHEREAS,the City Council, upon the recommendation of staff, wishes to formally
adopt standards for indigent defense;
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Port
Townsend as follows:
Section 1. Pursuant to the requirements of RCW 10.101.030 and the requirements of
Order No. 25700-A-1004 of the Washington State Supreme Court ("Order"), the indigent
defense standards set forth in Jefferson County Ordinance 04-0323-09, (Chapter 2.20 of
the Jefferson County Code), and the Order are hereby adopted and incorporated by this
reference as fully as if herein set forth. These adopted standards shall be deemed
amended, from time to time, upon amendment of the standard by Jefferson County or the
State Supreme Court. The standards shall be effective and implemented in accordance
with the timeframes established in the Court's order.
Section 2. The Standard for Indigent Defense Services adopted by the Washington
Resolution 14-056
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State Bar Association as approved by its Board of Governors on June 3, 2011, shall serve
as a guideline in the interpretation and application of these defense standards.
Section 3. The City hereby requires that all counsel assigned to represent indigent
defendants in cases filed on behalf of the City in the Jefferson County District Court
comply with the County's standards and the Supreme Court Rule as interpreted pursuant
to the Washington State Bar Association guidelines.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Port Townsend at a regular meeting
thereof, held this 20th day of October 2014.
David King
Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form:
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Joanna Sanders, CMC Steven L. Gross
City Clerk City Attorney