Staff Report - Advisory Committee Public Defense Options 2022-03-15

Home Browse Search

KITTITAS COUNTY COMMISSIONER’S OFFICE AGENDA STAFF REPORT AGENDA DATE: March 15, 2022 ACTION REQUESTED: Request to Approve a Resolution for the Creation and Composition of the Advisory Committee for Future Public Defense Options. BACKGROUND: The Kittitas County Board of Commissioners were made aware of a need for changes in the local system for Public Defense options. An Advisory Committee to study the future of the public defense options in Kittitas County are to be created including the following stakeholders: • One member of the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners. • One Judge or their designee from the Superior Court. • One Judge or their designee from the Lower District Court. • One Judge or their designee from Upper District Court. • One representative from the State Office of Public Defense to be chosen by that agency. • One Deputy Prosecutor assigned to advise the Courts. • One or more members who are independent from the system and have unique subject matter expertise. The term of appointment shall be for 2 years, except those members who are independent from the system and have unique subject matter expertise shall serve “at-will”. The committee shall submit a report of its activities and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners every six months. INTERACTION: Deputy Prosecutor Doug Mitchell has prepared an updated Resolution consistent with feedback from the Board and judicial officers, as requested on the March 1, 2022, Agenda. RECOMMENDATION: Approve a Resolution Specifying the Creation and Composition of the Advisory Committee for the Future Public Defense Options. HANDLING: 1 – Clerk of the Board 1 – Prosecutor’s office ATTACHMENTS: Resolution Specifying the Creation of Composition of the Advisory Committee for Future Public Defense Options. LEAD STAFF: Brett Wachsmith, Commissioner Doug Mitchell, Deputy Prosecutor Julie Kjorsvik, Clerk of the Board