RFQ Indigent Defense Attorneys for Superior Court

Birth to Three Program; Washington; On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Asotin County is seeking statements of interest and qualifications to provide indigent defense services in the Asotin County Superior Court in accordance with Washington State Supreme Court Rules. Compensation is dependent on negotiated caseload levels and governed by relevant ordinances.

The attorney must be a current member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association and will attend Office of Public Defense approved training at least once per calendar year, as required by RCW

Qualifications

• Must be a current member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association.
• Serve indigent defense under RCW and local ordinances with annual training as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal representation in Asotin County Superior Court for indigent defendants in felony, juvenile, and related matters.
• Coordinate with the Judge to ensure on-call coverage for initial hearings; telephonic appearance acceptable.
• Handle proceedings through appeal or notice of appeal when applicable.
• Comply with training requirements from the Office of Public Defense.

Skills

Legal knowledge

Public defense

Job description

Asotin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Drug Free Workplace/Americans with Disabilities Act

Asotin County is a Drug Free Workplace and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Persons requiring accommodation should advise us of that need.

Immigration Reform & Control Act of 1986

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Asotin County will hire only United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. Documented evidence of identity and employment eligibility must be presented at time of hire.

DATE OF POSTING: October 7, 2025

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS INDIGENT DEFENSE ATTORNEYS

Asotin County is seeking statements of interest and qualifications for a defense attorney to provide indigent defense in the Asotin County Superior Court in conformity with Washington State Supreme Court Rules, compensation dependent on negotiated caseload levels.

Attorney shall provide services in accordance with Asotin County Ordinance No. 26-30 An Ordinance Relating to Standards for Delivery of Indigent Defense Services, which will be amended to conform with Washington Supreme Court Order #25700-A-1644.

Attorney must be a current member in good standing with the Washington State Bar Association upon application and throughout the term of the contract and conform with Section 14.1 and 14.2 (K) of Washington’s Superior Court Criminal Rule 3.1 Standards.

The County has requested and been granted public defense funds under RCW 10.101. As a result, attorneys providing public defense services are required to attend training approved by the Office of Public Defense at least once each calendar year.

Duties include:

1. Provide legal representation in Asotin County Superior Court in all matters for which the court is required to make an appointment of an attorney for an indigent person based on any statute, court rule, or reported case, for criminal felony matters, child support contempt, and all juvenile court cases. The services to be furnished by the Attorney shall include legal representation at all stages of the proceedings subsequent to a determination of indigence and appointment by the court and shall continue through the filing of the notice of appeal from Superior Court. Indigent representation on appeals to the Court of Appeals or Supreme Court of the State of Washington is not within the scope of this agreement.

2. Initial Hearings

In Superior Court criminal matters, the representation shall also include provisional representation at initial hearings. The contracting attorney shall coordinate to make sure that an on-call attorney is identified and available at all times to the Judge of Superior Court for purposes of bond and other initial hearings. Telephonic appearance is acceptable. Defense attorneys shall assist the court by providing the indigent defense form required by the Public Defender statute to persons at initial criminal, and juvenile court matters.

3. The Superior Court contract excludes misdemeanors and gross misdemeanors filed by the City of Clarkston and the City of Asotin and representation of a party in matters arising from a single set of facts where the court determines that to do so would create a conflict of interest.

4. The County will pay the following expenses:

• Expert witnesses and expert witness services requested ordered by the court will be paid for by the County, in conformity with the contract between the County and the public defenders.
• Travel
• Conflict appointments

5. The Attorney will pay all the following expenses:

• Normal business overhead, including operating cost as outlined in the contract with County.
• Attorney reports, vouchers, and training, all costs associated with maintaining good standing as a member of Washington State Bar Association.
• Professional liability insurance.
• Office of Public Defender approved training at least once per calendar year as outlined in RCW 10.101 totaling at least seven (7) hours of continuing legal education related to indigent defense.