IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF THE AMENDMENT TO SPRC 2

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ORDER NO. 25700-A-747

     The Office of Public Defense having recommended the adoption of the proposed amendment to SPRC 2, and the Court having considered the amendment submitted thereto, and having determined that the proposed amendment will aid in the prompt and orderly administration of justice;

     Now, therefore, it is hereby

     ORDERED:

     (a) That the amendment as attached hereto is adopted.

     (b) That the amendment will be published in the Washington Reports and will become effective January 1, 2003.

     DATED at Olympia, Washington this 2nd day of July 2002.

	Alexander, C. J.
Smith, J.	Ireland, J.
Johnson, J.	Bridge, J.
Madsen, J.	Chambers, J.
Sanders, J.	Owens, J.

     (a) Except as otherwise stated, these rules apply to all stages of proceedings in criminal cases in which the death penalty has been or may be decreed. These rules do not apply in any case in which imposition of the death penalty is no longer possible.

     (b) Except when inconsistent with these rules, the Superior Court Criminal Rules and the Rules of Appellate Procedure shall continue to apply in capital cases.

Rule 2. APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL

     At least two lawyers shall be appointed for the trial and also for the direct appeal. The trial court shall retain responsibility for appointing counsel for trial. The Supreme Court shall appoint counsel for the direct appeal. Notwithstanding RAP 15.2 (f) and (h), the Supreme Court will determine all motions to withdraw as counsel on appeal.

     A list of attorneys who meet the requirements of proficiency and experience, and who have demonstrated that they are learned in the law of capital punishment by virtue of training or experience, and thus are qualified for appointment in death penalty trials and for appeals will be recruited and maintained by a panel created by the Supreme Court. All counsel for trial and appeal must have demonstrated the proficiency and commitment to quality representation which is appropriate to a capital case. Both counsel at trail must have five years' experience in the practice of criminal law (and) be familiar with and experienced in the utilization of expert witnesses and evidence, and not be presently serving as appointed counsel in another active trial level death penalty case. One counsel must be, and both may be, qualified for appointment in capital trials on the list, unless circumstances exist such that it is in the defendant's interest to appoint otherwise qualified counsel learned in the law of capital punishment by virtue of training or experience. The trial court shall make findings of fact if good cause is found for not appointing list counsel.

     At least one counsel on appeal must have three years' experience in the field of criminal appellate law and be learned in the law of capital punishment by virtue of training or experience. In appointing counsel on appeal, the Supreme Court will consider the list, but will have the final discretion in the appointment of counsel.

[Amended effective January 1, 2003.]

     Reviser's note: The brackets and enclosed material in the text of the above section occurred in the copy filed by the State Supreme Court and appear in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.

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