GR 9 COVER SHEET

Suggested Amendment to

WASHINGTON STATE COURT RULES:

CRIMINAL RULES FOR COURTS OF LIMITED JURISDICTION

RULE 3.3

TIME FOR TRIAL

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A.        Name of Proponent:             District & Municipal Courts Judges’ Association

(DMCJA)

B.        Spokesperson:                       Judge Charles Short, President, DMCJA

C.        Purpose:         The DMCJA recommends amending CrRLJ 3.3, Time for Trial, to allow defense counsel to enter into agreements for continuance on behalf of their clients. The amendment will make the rule more congruent with recent amendments to CrRLJ 3.4 pertaining to the presence of the defendant. It also clarifies that defense counsel’s signature constitutes a representation that the defendant has been consulted and agrees to the continuance, and that the court’s notice to defense counsel of new hearing dates constitutes notice to the defendant. For these reasons, the DMCJA requests adoption of the proposed amendment.

D.        Hearing:  A hearing is not recommended.

E.        Expedited Consideration:  Expedited consideration is requested to address current practice and to make the rule congruent with the current CrRLJ 3.4.