Board interviews and moves to offer indigent-defense contract to Randy Reid

Columbia County commissioners interviewed Randy Reid on Dec. 15 for the county's indigent-defense contract and indicated they will proceed toward an offer subject to contract terms and caseload limits.

Reid described more than four years of criminal-defense experience, with his practice focused on felony cases and additional work in misdemeanors, juvenile and child-protective matters. He said he uses case-management software, two administrative assistants and maintains a network of investigators and expert witnesses; Reid said he is prepared to begin on Jan. 1 if selected.

Commissioners and staff questioned Reid about his current caseload and how out-of-county matters would factor into Washington State Bar caseload limits. Reid said his contract work in another county (a 40-felony annual contract in southern Washington/Idaho area) typically reaches the contract'ed number by October, and he has already curtailed accepting some out-of-state cases in anticipation of a new Washington workload. Commissioners noted the state's evolving caseload standards and asked staff to confirm how combined caseloads across counties should be counted.

Board members discussed transitional continuity and noted that the outgoing contractor, Ashley (last name in county files), had offered to remain through January to assure a smooth handoff. Commissioners agreed staff should prepare a final contract and, if terms are acceptable, call a special meeting to approve and sign the agreement so services are not interrupted.

Reid emphasized client communication practices, maintaining confidentiality in small communities and judicious use of investigators and experts via ex parte funding requests to the court when warranted; he also said he would provide the county with regular invoices showing nonconfidential activity to document delivery of contracted services.