Revised Code of Washington
Chapter 2.70 - Office of Public Defense.
2.70.020 - Director—Duties—Limitations.

RCW 2.70.020
Director—Duties—Limitations.

The director shall:
(1) Administer all state-funded services in the following program areas:
(a) Trial court criminal indigent defense, as provided in chapter 10.101 RCW;
(b) Appellate indigent defense, as provided in this chapter;
(c) Representation of indigent parents qualified for appointed counsel in dependency and termination cases, as provided in RCW 13.34.090 and 13.34.092;
(d) Extraordinary criminal justice cost petitions, as provided in RCW 43.330.190;
(e) Compilation of copies of DNA test requests by persons convicted of felonies, as provided in RCW 10.73.170;
(f) Representation of indigent respondents qualified for appointed counsel in sexually violent predator civil commitment cases, as provided in chapter 71.09 RCW; and
(g) Provide access to attorneys for juveniles contacted by a law enforcement officer for whom a legal consultation is required under RCW 13.40.740;
(2) Submit a biennial budget for all costs related to the office's program areas;
(3) Establish administrative procedures, standards, and guidelines for the office's program areas, including cost-efficient systems that provide for authorized recovery of costs;
(4) Provide oversight and technical assistance to ensure the effective and efficient delivery of services in the office's program areas;
(5) Recommend criteria and standards for determining and verifying indigency. In recommending criteria for determining indigency, the director shall compile and review the indigency standards used by other state agencies and shall periodically submit the compilation and report to the legislature on the appropriateness and consistency of such standards;
(6) Collect information regarding indigent defense services funded by the state and report annually to the advisory committee, the legislature, and the supreme court;
(7) Coordinate with the supreme court and the judges of each division of the court of appeals to determine how appellate attorney services should be provided.
The office of public defense shall not provide direct representation of clients.

[ 2021 c 328 § 3; 2012 c 257 § 1; 2008 c 313 § 4; 1996 c 221 § 3.]
NOTES:

Effective date—2021 c 328: See note following RCW 13.40.740.

Effective date—2012 c 257: "This act takes effect July 1, 2012." [ 2012 c 257 § 14.]

Findings—2008 c 313: See note following RCW 2.70.005.