Kittitas County public defender seeks Rule 9 summer intern; commissioners agree to proceed

At a May 12, 2026, study session, Public Defense Director Eileen Murphy requested that the Kittitas County Board of Commissioners approve participation in the Rule 9 internship program authorized by RCW 43.101.505 to bring on a Rule 9 intern for the summer. The board provided direction to move forward; no formal roll-call vote is recorded in the minutes.

The request, presented during the board's HR study session, aims to add temporary internship support to the Public Defense Office ahead of the summer session. "[Murphy] requested Board approval to participate in the Rule 9 internship program authorized by RCW 43.101.505, which would include bringing on a Rule 9 intern for the summer," the minutes state.

The nut graf: Rule 9 internships place law students or recent graduates under supervising counsel to support indigent defense work; participating allows the county to expand capacity for courtroom and client work during peak periods. The request cites state authorization (RCW 43.101.505) as the statutory basis for the internship.

Board members present were Cory Wright, Brett Wachsmith and Laura Osiadacz. The minutes record that the board "provided direction to move forward with the internship program," but they do not record a motion, a named mover or seconder, or a tally of votes, indicating the decision was handled as direction rather than a formal adopted action.

The next steps recorded in the minutes: the Public Defense Office may proceed to enroll in the Rule 9 program and arrange for a summer intern; the minutes do not specify a hire date, compensation details, or supervisory assignments, which remain to be confirmed by the office.

The item was discussed as part of the HR study session and is expected to be implemented by the Public Defense Office under the county's existing hiring and internship procedures.