HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report - Advisory Committee Public Defense Options 2022-03-15KITTITAS 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