GR 9 COVER SHEET

Proposed New Rule CrRLJ 4.12

PROPONENT: Proposed new rule CrRLJ 4.12 is submitted and endorsed solely by the Adult Criminal Committee of the BJA Court Recovery Task Force. This proposal does not necessarily reflect all of the BJA Court Recovery Task Force members’ perspectives.

SPOKESPERSON: Amy Muth, Chair; amy@amymuthlaw.com

PURPOSE: The proposed rule memorializes Supreme Court Order No. 25700-B-658 (13)(a), which permits attorneys to submit orders to continue criminal matters without obtaining the defendant’s signature.  Allowing an attorney to sign on a defendant’s behalf to advance the case has created efficiency for attorneys and courts in managing criminal calendars, and particularly benefits public defenders, who no longer need to visit multiple in-custody clients for the purpose of obtaining a signature to continue a routine matter. 

HEARING: We do not believe that a public hearing is necessary.

EXPEDITED CONSIDERATION: We do not believe that expedited consideration is necessary.