File #: 2010-0580    Version:
Type: Ordinance Status: Passed
File created: 11/15/2010 In control: Law, Justice, Health and Human Services Committee
On agenda: Final action: 9/19/2011
Enactment date: 9/29/2011 Enactment #: 17189
Title: AN ORDINANCE relating to the office of the public defender; making technical corrections; amending Ordinance 11955, Section 12, as amended, and K.C.C. 12.16.100, Ordinance 11955, Section 13, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.110, Ordinance 11955, Section 6, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.130, Ordinance 383, Section 2, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.60.020 and Ordinance 14412, Section 3, and K.C.C. 2.60.027 and repealing Ordinance 14412, Section 2, and K.C.C. 2.60.025.
Sponsors: Bob Ferguson, Larry Gossett
Indexes: Public Defense
Code sections: 2.16.020 - , 2.16.130 - , 2.60.025 - .
Attachments: 1. 17189.pdf, 2. 2010-0580 OPD Reorg sr pj 02-02-11 final with review, 3. 2010-0580 Striking Amendment 02-02-11, 4. 2010-0580 OPD Reorg.doc, 5. OPD Striker 08-26-11.doc, 6. 2010-0580 OPD Reorg SR revised.doc, 7. 2010-0580 STAFF REPORT with attachments .pdf
Drafter
Clerk 09/19/2011
Title
AN ORDINANCE relating to the office of the public defender; making technical corrections; amending Ordinance 11955, Section 12, as amended, and K.C.C. 12.16.100, Ordinance 11955, Section 13, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.110, Ordinance 11955, Section 6, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.130, Ordinance 383, Section 2, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.60.020 and Ordinance 14412, Section 3, and K.C.C. 2.60.027 and repealing Ordinance 14412, Section 2, and K.C.C. 2.60.025.
Body
PREAMBLE:
Chapter 10.101 RCW requires King County to provide effective legal representation, consistent with the constitutional requirements of fairness, equal protection and due process in all cases where there is a right to counsel for indigent persons and persons who are indigent and able to contribute.
King County regards this responsibility as essential to ensuring justice and protecting the rights of its residents. As such, the county offers legal representation to adults and juveniles who are accused of a crime and cannot afford an attorney, as well as providing representation for services such as juvenile dependency, civil commitment or civil contempt.
To carry out this work, the county has established the office of the public defender, housed within the department of community and human services. Currently, the public defender, who serves as both a technical expert and the manager responsible for the administration of high quality public defense in King County, is appointed by the director of the department of community and human services.
This ordinance will enhance the accountability and performance of the office of public defense, establishing a director, appointed by the executive, responsible for the strategic administration of the office and the provision of high quality defense services for the indigent and near indigent.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF KING COUNTY:
SECTION 1. Ordinance 11955, Section 12, as amended, and K.C.C. 2.16.100 are each hereby a...

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