GENERAL RULE 9

RULE AMENDMENT COVER SHEET

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CrRLJ 7.4 and CrRLJ 7.5

1.       Mason County District Court

2.       George A. Steele GSteele@masoncountywa.gov

3.       To give Courts of Limited Jurisdiction have the same flexibility as Superior Courts, when motions under CrRLJ 7.4 and CrRLJ 7.5 are brought.

4.       The Superior Court has the ability to waive the deadlines to file motions under CrR 7.4 and CrR 7.5; Courts of Limited Jurisdiction do not. This can be unfair to defendants who might have meritorious motions for the relief sought under CrRLJ 7.4 and CrRLJ 7.5. I view this suggested rule as a fairly minor adjustment to the current rules. The time frames have also been extended from five days to ten days to match the superior court rule and create a more realistic time period.

5.       Is Expedited Consideration Requested? No.

6.       Is a Public Hearing Recommended? Probably.