New rule for appointing appellate counsel for indigent defendants

[RULES] Effective July 1 there is a new rule (RAP 15.2) for appointing appellate counsel for indigent defendants. Formerly the superior court appointed appellate counsel; now the appellate court will appoint appellate counsel, from a list designated by the Washington State Office of Public Defense (OPD).

RAP 15.2 -- Appellate Appointment Rule Change Frequently Asked Questions, by OPD, includes this:

What does this mean for trial attorneys?
Trial attorneys will continue to be responsible for filing the Notice of Appeal and the Motion for Order of Indigency. Forms will be included on the OPD website, in addition to the Washington Courts’ website. The order of indigency will provide that the appellate court shall appoint appellate counsel. Trial counsel will still be required to consult with appellate counsel in preparing the record for appeal.

Filed in: appeals, RAP, rules, indigent-defense