All indigent defendants charged with a criminal violation(s) who qualify for appointed counsel are referred to the Public Defender. In instances where the City’s contracted Public Defender has a conflict, the City will refer defendants to one of a roster of public defense firms or legal counsel. The Conflict Public Defender will provide legal representation for each of these defendants from court appointment or screening through trial, sentencing, post-conviction review and any appeals to the Superior Court or Washington Court of Appeals. Legal representation includes case preparation, tracking, case analysis, client interviews, legal research, briefing, basic investigation, filing, court appearances, document preparation or processing, court appearances, case negotiations, and administration. Whenever the Public Defender is counsel of record for an individual who is jailed on a City matter, the Conflict Public Defender is legal counsel of record for an individual who is jailed on a City matter, the Conflict Public Defender shall be available to appear in Court before such individual has been in custody for 24 hours; except that, this does not require the Conflict Public Defender to be available to appear in Court on Saturdays, Sundays, or City holidays. The Conflict Public Defender may withdraw upon completion of the case as allowed by the Rules of Professional Conduct...
