CrR 3.1 - Right to and Assignment of Lawyer

• Proposed Changes to CrR 3.1 - Right to and Assignment of Lawyer (in Word Format)
• Comments Received for CrR 3.1 - Right to and Assignment of Lawyer

C.     PURPOSE: The proposed rules provide minimal standards to be satisfied before a judicial officer may appoint an attorney to render services to an indigent person. These standards are contained in the Standards for Indigent Defense Services as endorsed by the Washington State Bar Association.

The purpose of the proposed rules is to place responsibility with the appointing judicial authority to require minimum expertise, competence and ability in those appointed to better insure adequate representation of the indigent client. This is and should be a judicial function.