Spokane County weighs code change to align indigent‑defense standards with Washington Supreme Court; debate over case‑weighting follows

Spokane County commissioners on Sept. 23 were briefed on a proposal to amend County Code 1.17A to align local standards for public defense with a Washington State Supreme Court order and related rules.

The proposal would update county code language to reflect the court’s new caseload guidance — including the court’s statement that implementation “may be implemented, in phases, 10% reduction annually” with full compliance no later than 10 years — and to reference criminal rule CR 3.1 and the rules of professional conduct that govern defense counsel.

County staff said the intended code changes mostly replace outdated numeric caseload references in the existing ordinance with current statewide authority so the county’s local rules are consistent with the court’s orders and state rules. Scott (county staff) briefed…