Attorney - Benton/Franklin Counties

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

Benton and Franklin Counties, State of Washington political subdivisions, are seeking to contract with one qualified attorney to represent indigent individuals who are subject to proceedings commenced in the Juvenile Division of the Benton and Franklin Counties Superior Courts.

Location:
Benton County & Franklin County, Washington

Minimum Qualifications:
Applicant must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association in good standing with one-year professional work experience in the practice of criminal law.

Form of Application:
Please send a letter of interest; resume; three professional references; proof of admission to the Washington State Bar Association and any other states where the applicant has previously been admitted; and disclosure of any complaint that resulted in disciplinary action by the entity charged with the discipline of attorneys in any state or jurisdiction.

Address for Response
Send responses marked “JUVENILE CRIMINAL DEFENSE PANEL – CONTRACT RESPONSE” to:
Attn: Kathryn Phillips
Benton County Juvenile Justice Center
5606 W. Canal, Suite 106
Kennewick, WA  99336

Closing Date
This position is open until filled.

Starting date:
Starting date for individual attorneys may be negotiated as necessary.

Fee Rate
Base fee rate is $5,100.31 (2008 rate) per month for the professional services provided. 

Contract Information
For further information contact Kathryn Phillips, Administrative Secretary at Kathryn.Phillips@co.benton.wa.us or (509) 736-2722.

Services Required
The attorney shall represent in a professional manner all individuals charged with felonies, misdemeanors, or gross misdemeanors in the Juvenile Division of Benton County and Franklin County Superior Courts for whose representation he/she is appointed.  Such representation shall include preparation and appearances in all phases of court proceedings arraignments, pretrial hearings, motions, trial, and sentencing.

The types of cases for which the attorney is to provide counsel shall include, but not be limited to, all criminal proceedings filed in the Juvenile Division of Superior Court and not covered specifically by another contract or not the responsibility of another governmental entity, division referrals, revocations and modifications of probation proceedings, financial responsibility/contempt of court proceedings on underlying criminal cases, all such cases returned to the Juvenile Division of Superior Court from any higher court, and any other matter in juvenile court for which publicly provided counsel for a person is required by law including dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings. The attorney's duties shall also include the preparation and filing of all pleadings necessary to perfect an appeal to a court higher than the Juvenile Division of Superior Court and representation of an appellant until appointment of counsel is made.

The attorney selected for this contract must have an interest in and ability to interact effectively with juvenile offenders and their parents, probation counselors and all court staff.  The attorney must have knowledge of juvenile court disposition options, programs and interventions for juveniles referred to the Juvenile Court.