Drafter
Clerk 05/13/2021
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to the public defender selection process; and amending Ordinance 17588, Section 4, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.60.026.
Body
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 17588, Section 4, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.60.026 are each hereby amended to read as follows:
A. The department of public defense shall be directed by the county public defender, whose duties include:
1. Managing the department of public defense;
2. Ensuring the department employs the needed technical and public defense expertise to ensure effective delivery of public defense services;
3. Representing the executive in all city, county, state and federal forums where the defense perspective is required;
4. Ensuring that the American Bar Association Ten Principles for a Public Defense Delivery System, as approved by the American Bar Association House of Delegates in February of 2002, guide the management of the department and development of department standards for legal defense representation, and filing with the clerk of the council by April 1 of ((each)) at least every other year a report on the results of the county public defender's efforts in that regard;
5. Following the Washington State Standards for Indigent Defense Services; ((and))
6. Developing and maintaining appropriate standards and guidelines for the qualifications and experience level of public defense attorneys and paraprofessionals;
7. Working collaboratively with the public defense advisory board and providing relevant nonprivileged information to the board upon its reasonable request; and
8. Fostering and promoting system improvements, efficiencies, access to justice and equity in the criminal justice system.
B.1. The county public defender shall be appointed by the executive, subject to confirmation by the council. The executive shall appoint one of the three candidates recommended by the public defense advisory bo...

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